🥬 Bok Choy with Ginger Chili Sauce
📝 Description:
This Bok Choy with Ginger Chili Sauce recipe brings vibrant Asian-inspired flavors to your table with minimal ingredients and effort. The crisp-tender bok choy is stir-fried and coated in a zesty, aromatic sauce made from fresh ginger, garlic, red chilies, soy sauce, and a touch of honey for balance. It’s a perfect side dish or a light, healthy main served with rice or noodles.
🥣 Ingredients:
- 1 pound fresh bok choy, washed and trimmed (halved or quartered if large)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, finely grated
- 2 red chili peppers, thinly sliced (adjust to taste)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup for vegan option)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Sesame seeds for garnish
👩🍳 Instructions:
1. Prep the Bok Choy:
- Rinse thoroughly and trim the base.
- If stalks are thick, slice them lengthwise so they cook evenly.
2. Make the Sauce:
- In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and honey. Set aside.
3. Cook the Aromatics:
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat.
- Add garlic, ginger, and sliced chili peppers.
- Sauté for 30–60 seconds until fragrant (do not burn).
4. Stir-Fry the Bok Choy:
- Add bok choy to the pan.
- Stir-fry for 3–5 minutes until leaves are wilted and stalks are just tender.
5. Add the Sauce:
- Pour in the sauce and toss to coat evenly.
- Cook for another 1–2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve:
- Transfer to a serving dish, sprinkle with sesame seeds (if using), and serve hot.
📌 Notes & Tips:
- Chili Heat: Remove chili seeds for a milder heat or use just one chili.
- Add Protein: Toss in tofu, tempeh, or shrimp for a complete meal.
- Wok Works Best: A wok helps keep the bok choy crisp while cooking fast.
- Don’t Overcook: Bok choy should stay slightly crunchy in the stalks.
🍽 Servings:
Serves 3–4 as a side dish, or 2 as a light main course.
🔍 Nutritional Info (Per Serving – approx., as a side dish):
- Calories: 100
- Carbs: 10g
- Sugar: 4g
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sodium: 550mg (based on low-sodium soy sauce)
Values may vary depending on specific brands used.
🌿 Health Benefits:
- Low in calories and rich in nutrients like vitamin A, C, and K
- Ginger and garlic have anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties
- Bok choy is a great source of antioxidants and calcium
- Perfect for heart-healthy, vegan, or low-carb diets
❓ Q&A:
Q: Can I use baby bok choy instead of regular?
A: Yes! Baby bok choy is more tender and perfect for quick stir-frying—no need to chop it much.
Q: How spicy is this dish?
A: Moderately spicy. You can adjust the heat by reducing or increasing the chili amount or using mild peppers.
Q: Can I make this ahead?
A: Best served fresh, but leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in a skillet over low heat.
Q: Can I make it gluten-free?
A: Yes! Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari instead of regular soy sauce.
Q: What can I serve this with?
A: Great with jasmine rice, brown rice, soba noodles, or alongside grilled proteins like tofu or fish.