Stir Fried Snow Peas And Water Chestnuts Recipe

I was feeling adventurous in the kitchen last night and decided to whip together a stir-fry with snow peas and water chestnuts, and even though I kinda messed up the timings, the garlic and ginger sauce turned out so bold and tasty that it totally made my day.

I love stir frying 8 oz snow peas with water chestnuts for a nutritious crisp dish. I heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil then add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp minced ginger.

I finish with soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, salt, white pepper and a cornstarch slurry to thicken.

Ingredients

• Snow peas: Crunchy, fiber-rich veggies that pack vitamins and a fresh, crisp taste into your dish.
• Water chestnuts: They add crisp texture and natural sweetness while keeping the meal light and healthy.
• Garlic: It gives a strong, bold flavor and lots of antioxidants but dont overpower the dish.
• Fresh ginger: This adds a zesty kick and natural anti inflammatory benefits that lift up the meal.
• Soy sauce: It brings a savory salty punch enhancing umami flavors while keeping carbs minimal.
• Oyster sauce: Thick and rich, it deepens the overall flavor adding a touch of subtle sweetness.

Ingredient Quantities

• 8 oz snow peas, washed and trimmed
• 1 (8 oz) can water chestnuts, drained and sliced
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground white pepper
• 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water

How to Make this

1. Wash and trim about 8 oz of snow peas and set them aside along with 1 can (8 oz) of drained, sliced water chestnuts.

2. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium high heat.

3. Toss in 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp of minced fresh ginger; let them sizzle for about 30 seconds until they smell really good.

4. Add the snow peas and water chestnuts to the pan and stir fry for about 2 minutes until the peas start to brighten but remain a bit crisp.

5. Pour in 2 tbsp of soy sauce and 1 tbsp of oyster sauce, stirring well so everything gets coated evenly.

6. Sprinkle in 1 tsp sugar, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp ground white pepper, mixing thoroughly.

7. Let everything cook together for another 1 to 2 minutes so that the flavors meld nicely.

8. Stir in 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water, and continue stirring quickly until the sauce thickens and glazes the veggies.

9. Taste the dish and adjust the seasonings if needed, then remove the pan from the heat.

10. Serve immediately while its hot and enjoy your delicious stir fried snow peas and water chestnuts.

Equipment Needed

1. Wok or large frying pan
2. Spatula or wooden spoon
3. Knife
4. Cutting board
5. Measuring spoons
6. Colander
7. Small bowl for mixing the cornstarch with water

FAQ

• Q: How long should I stir fry the snow peas and water chestnuts?
  A: Just about 3-4 minutes. The peas need a quick toss to stay crisp and vibrant, so dont overcook ’em.
• Q: Can I swap vegetable oil for another kind?
  A: Yeah, you can use canola or peanut oil if you prefer. They work fine for stir frying.
• Q: Do water chestnuts really add much to the dish?
  A: They do! They give a nice crunch and sweet subtle flavor. If you dont have any, you could try bamboo shoots as a backup.
• Q: When should I add the cornstarch slurry?
  A: Add it towards the end of cooking to thicken up the sauce. Just stir it in and cook for another minute.
• Q: Is extra garlic and ginger okay?
  A: Sure, if you love those flavors, feel free to use a bit more. But stick to the recipe first to get an idea of the balance.

Stir Fried Snow Peas And Water Chestnuts Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you can’t find snow peas, try using snap peas. They have a similar crunch and a sweet flavor, just like the original.
• Not able to get water chestnuts? You could use thin slices of bell peppers or bamboo shoots instead. They won’t give exactly the same crunch, but they’ll do the trick.
• If you don’t have vegetable oil lying around, canola or peanut oil works fine too. They’ll give you the same result in a stir fry.
• Don’t have oyster sauce? A little hoisin sauce or even a mushroom sauce would be a pretty good substitute, although the flavor will be a tad different.
• If you run out of fresh ginger, a small pinch of ground ginger can work as well. Just use a bit less since it’s more concentrated.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure your pan is really hot before you start stir frying. If you add the garlic and ginger too early, they can burn real quick and end up tasting bitter. Trust me, you wanna just let ’em sizzle for like 30 seconds, no more.

2. Dont overcook the snow peas. I know you might want them nice and soft, but keeping them crisp makes the taste so much better. If they stay bright green and just barely tender, everything else in the dish stands out more.

3. When you add the cornstarch mixture, stir it in slowly. This helps the sauce get that smooth, glossy glaze without ending up lumpy. If you rush it, the sauce can clump up and look a bit messy.

4. Taste as you go. You can always add a bit more salt, sugar, or even a dash more soy sauce if you feel like it needs something extra. Its all about adjusting the flavors to make sure your taste buds are happy with every bite.