Help!! All my stir fry turns out bland!!!!?!
I am attempting to make healthy meals and stir fry is recommended a lot!. What happens is that when I cook the meat, garlic and vegetables it just ends up tasting like separate pieces thrown together!. I cooked the garlic first, added the meat, then the vegetables and then this sweet and sour sauce, but it tastes so bland!. Any suggestions!?!?!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
First of all, garlic should not cook too long!. It should be one of the last ingredients you put in before adding any liquid (if you use liquids besides a little oil)!. For example, in Italian cooking, you start with the onions and don't add the garlic until they're almost cooked through!. Stir fries are the same way!. If you cook garlic too long, you either cook out the flavor or make it bitter, depending on how you're cooking it!.
Secondly, use more soy sauce, or maybe hoi sin or plum sauce, depending on what flavor you want!. A tiny bit of sesame oil will also perk up your stir fry!.
And finally, a chef's secret is that when you're cooking something low fat, like a vegetarian stir fry, a little alcohol will bring out the flavor in the way that fat usually does!. traditionally Oriental cooks will use a little mirin, or rice wine, but I personally like to throw in a splash of Jack Daniels!. Experiment!. Anything will work though the flavors may differ!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Secondly, use more soy sauce, or maybe hoi sin or plum sauce, depending on what flavor you want!. A tiny bit of sesame oil will also perk up your stir fry!.
And finally, a chef's secret is that when you're cooking something low fat, like a vegetarian stir fry, a little alcohol will bring out the flavor in the way that fat usually does!. traditionally Oriental cooks will use a little mirin, or rice wine, but I personally like to throw in a splash of Jack Daniels!. Experiment!. Anything will work though the flavors may differ!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Remember to pre cook bigger ingredients and the meat!. also if using white meat such as chicken or pork toss it in a little corn starch before quickly cooking it!. this will lock in moisture and also when the sauce is cooking will allow it to bind to the meat!.
Make sure all your vegies are the same size!. This way they will cook more evenly!.
Now a lot people will go into shock here but I'm gonna say this anyway!. Don't use fresh garlic and ginger!. There is an ingredient you can get which is a paste of both, or just use the paste of one or the other!. Otherwise you need to mess about getting your garlic and ginger super small which is a pain in the bum!.
So in layers, start with your aromatics (garlic, chili, ginger, lemongrass) and wait for the fragrance to start (seconds) toss in your pre cooked meat and count to 10, then add your vegies!. Count to 10 again then add your sauce!. also at this point add 1/2 cup of water just to add some moisture!. If adding noodles now is the time!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Make sure all your vegies are the same size!. This way they will cook more evenly!.
Now a lot people will go into shock here but I'm gonna say this anyway!. Don't use fresh garlic and ginger!. There is an ingredient you can get which is a paste of both, or just use the paste of one or the other!. Otherwise you need to mess about getting your garlic and ginger super small which is a pain in the bum!.
So in layers, start with your aromatics (garlic, chili, ginger, lemongrass) and wait for the fragrance to start (seconds) toss in your pre cooked meat and count to 10, then add your vegies!. Count to 10 again then add your sauce!. also at this point add 1/2 cup of water just to add some moisture!. If adding noodles now is the time!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I add chillis to mine!. If you want to make your own sauce you can, using vegetable stock/bouillion with soy sauce, simmer with your veg until thick!. You can sprinkle chilli flakes for extra flavour!.
It sounds like you're using a bland sauce, go for something a bit more exciting as well if you're using a jarred sauce!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
It sounds like you're using a bland sauce, go for something a bit more exciting as well if you're using a jarred sauce!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
What I usually do is start of with vegetable oil, just a little, add in garlic, teaspoon of sugar/salt, then add in meat, stir until it cooks, add in black pepper, soy sauce then the veggies!. Cover pan with a lid for it to steam a bit and turn off and you are done!. For more flavor you can add in Hoisin sauce as well!.
http://ninecooks!.typepad!.com/photos/unca!.!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
http://ninecooks!.typepad!.com/photos/unca!.!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Try teriyaki sauce!. Mmmm!.
By the way, stir fry is supposed to taste like it has a bunch of different ingredients!. It's not supposed to homogenize!.
Www@FoodAQ@Com
By the way, stir fry is supposed to taste like it has a bunch of different ingredients!. It's not supposed to homogenize!.
Www@FoodAQ@Com
My secret ingredient is Rock Melon!.
Sounds crazy, but add some zest to your meals!
Blend the Rock melon fruit up and drizzle it through the stir fry, it has loads of flavor and brings something new to the table!
Happy cooking!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Sounds crazy, but add some zest to your meals!
Blend the Rock melon fruit up and drizzle it through the stir fry, it has loads of flavor and brings something new to the table!
Happy cooking!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
soy sauce! but not to much!.
which veges to you put in!? and what meat!?
beef with satay on it is flavoursome!. also use cauliflower,brocolli, carrot,beans diced, so in one mouthful you will get lots of flavours!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
which veges to you put in!? and what meat!?
beef with satay on it is flavoursome!. also use cauliflower,brocolli, carrot,beans diced, so in one mouthful you will get lots of flavours!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I usually throw in minced garlic in the heated oil!. Then I throw in whatever ingredients I have and then add oyster sauce at the very end!. Try using sesame oil instead of olive oil!. Www@FoodAQ@Com
Soy sauce
Pepper
Onion
Salt
They should all help it taste less bland!. also i sometimes use spices from my spice rack or even greek natural yogurt!. Sounds gross but tastes great!
xxxxxxWww@FoodAQ@Com
Pepper
Onion
Salt
They should all help it taste less bland!. also i sometimes use spices from my spice rack or even greek natural yogurt!. Sounds gross but tastes great!
xxxxxxWww@FoodAQ@Com
Add MSGWww@FoodAQ@Com
i use lots of spices!.Www@FoodAQ@Com