STIR-FRIED ASPARAGUS WITH PORK

Stir-Fried Asparagus with Pork image

Provided by Mark Bittman

Time 20m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

1 pound pencil-thin asparagus
2 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil
3 or 4 dried red chilies, optional
1/4 pound ground pork
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 cup scallions
1/2 cup chicken stock or water
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 teaspoons dark sesame oil, optional
Cooked white rice for serving (optional)

Steps:

Break bottom inch or so off of each asparagus spear; cut stalks into inch-long pieces.
Heat a large skillet over high heat for about 2 minutes. Immediately add half the peanut oil, chilies if you're using them and pork, crumbling it with your fingers. Cook, stirring only occasionally, until pork browns, about 2 minutes. Remove pork to a bowl, discard chilies and lower heat slightly.
Add remaining oil and asparagus to skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until asparagus turns bright green and begins to become tender, 3 or 4 minutes. Add garlic and scallions and cook, stirring once or twice, for 30 seconds.
Add stock or water and soy sauce; stir and cook for 15 seconds. Stir in pork, add sesame oil if you like and stir once more. Serve with white rice, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 179, UnsaturatedFat 10 grams, Carbohydrate 7 grams, Fat 14 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 9 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 283 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams