Stir-Fry

There are no insects in this Sichuan noodle dish; the name refers to the way the bits of pork cling to the noodles.

Give the humble eggplant the attention it deserves with a rich and spicy sauce.

Heilongjiang in Northeast China does not have a huge repertoire of famous recipes, but this eggplant preparation should put it on the map.

Dan dan noodles are a popular Sichuan street snack, named after the bamboo shoulder pole used to carry it.

The Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh is the epicenter of prawn cultivation in India. I am lucky enough to have family in Nellore and have spent many memorable childhood summers with ammama there. The prawns in Nellore make it to the kitchen literally minutes after they are caught, and really do taste like the sea. The trick to this recipe is to be patient and allow the onions to brown to a deep, caramelized sweetness. It never fails to amaze me that such a simple dish can be absolutely delicio.…

The crunchiness and juiciness of flowering chives combined with tender, lightly seasoned pork is an unbeatable combination—and this dish is super quick to make.

This mixed vegetable dish takes its inspiration from Buddhist vegetarian cooking and can include any combination of ingredients that represent good luck, prosperity, happiness, family wholeness, and longevity. 

Rice cakes are available sliced, marble-shaped, and in batons. There are dried versions, but the refrigerated version is widely available and easier to work with. You can use any combination of vegetables and seasonings here, so feel free to experiment with flavors.

Since Chinese eggplant has fewer seeds, it is noticeably less bitter than its fellow nightshades. This makes it the perfect ensemble player in this cast of heat, ginger, and garlic.

You’ll find Korean rice cakes in all kinds of shapes and sizes—from long cylinders to thin, oblong rounds. While their flavor does not change according to shape, textures do. Thin rice cakes work well for this stir-fry, as they quickly absorb flavors and soften into crispy, chewy coins.

Quickly simmer shrimp in a stew of canned tomatoes, bell pepper, chicken broth, and cumin for an excellent and easy dinner.

Here’s a Sichuan-inspired stir-fry of snappy, blistered asparagus and crispy pork. Can’t find asparagus? Green beans or snap peas work just as well. (One thing that’s non-negotiable: a side of chile crisp.)

In this Thai-inspired stir-fry, a quick sear gives Spam a crispy yet melt-in-your-mouth texture, and a finishing drizzle of vinaigrette balances the salty rich ham with an herbaceous lift.

Set up all of your mise en place before you start cooking. You’ll go from raw ingredients to a glossy stir-fry in the time it takes to make a pot of rice.