Best Stir Fried Water Spinach Recipes

SPICY STIR-FRIED EGGPLANT, TOFU AND WATER SPINACH (ONG CHOY)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Cut the eggplant in half lengthwise and score down to but not through the skin. Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil, lightly oil the foil and place the eggplant on it cut side down. Roast for 15 minutes, until the skin begins to shrivel. Remove from the oven, transfer to a colander and let the eggplant drain, cut-side down, while you prepare the other ingredients. Then cut the eggplant in half down the middle and into 3/4-inch pieces.
• Meanwhile, drain and dry the tofu slices on paper towels and prepare the water spinach. Cut or break away the bottom 2 inches of the stalks. Break off the thicker, bottom part of the stems and wash thoroughly in 2 changes of water. Cut into 2-inch pieces. Spin in a salad spinner, then place on several thicknesses of paper towels to dry. Wash the leafy top part of the greens in 2 changes of water, spin dry twice, and chop coarsely. Place separately on paper towels to drain.
• In a small bowl or measuring cup combine the soy sauce, rice wine or sherry, and stock or water. Add the salt and sugar and stir until dissolved. Combine the garlic, ginger and chiles in another bowl. Have all the ingredients within arm's length of your pan.
• Heat a 14-inch flat-bottomed wok or 12-inch steel skillet over high heat until a drop of water evaporates within a second or two when added to the pan. Add 1 tablespoon of the oil by pouring it down the sides of the pan and swirling the pan, then add the tofu and stir-fry until lightly colored, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove to a plate.
• Swirl in the remaining oil, add the garlic, ginger and chiles and stir-fry for no more than 10 seconds. Add the red onion and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add the eggplant and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes, until all of it is tender. Add the water spinach stems and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add the spinach leaves, stir-fry for about 30 seconds and add the soy sauce mixture. Stir-fry for 1 minute, until the spinach has wilted, return the tofu to the wok along with cilantro. Stir together for a few seconds to amalgamate and remove from the heat. Serve with rice or noodles.

STIR FRIED WATER SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a wok over high heat and stir-fry the garlic until fragrant and lightly golden, about 1 minute. Add the water spinach, season with pepper, and stir-fry until wilted, about 3 minutes. Add the bean curd, stir-fry until it is evenly distributed, then cover and cook until done, 2 to 3 minutes more.

WATER SPINACH STIR-FRIED WITH SHRIMP SAUCE AND LIME

Steps:

• To make the flavoring sauce, in a small bowl, combine the shrimp sauce, fish sauce, and water and stir to mix well. Set aside.
• In a wok or large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add the garlic and stir-fry for 15 seconds, or until fragrant Add the water spinach and stir-fry for about 3 minutes, or until heated through. Add the flavoring sauce and toss with the greens to distribute evenly. Remove from the heat and squeeze half of the lime wedges over the water spinach. Stir gently and transfer to a serving plate. Serve with the remaining lime wedges for diners who enjoy a tangier dish.
• To minimize waste, select freshly cut bunches with stems no wider than 1/4 inch. Once home, trim the ends (like a bunch of flowers), wrap the bottom 3 to 4 inches of stems in damp paper towels, and store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator to keep crisp. Cook the greens within a couple days.