Crispy Morning Glory Stir-Fry with Beef
Crispy Morning Glory Stir-Fry with Beef
Taste of Southeast Asia at Home! How to Make Crispy Morning Glory Stir-Fry with Beef
Craving exotic Southeast Asian flavors in your own kitchen? ‘Morning Glory Stir-Fry’ is a popular dish from countries like Vietnam and Thailand, and it’s a universally loved recipe that’s easy to enjoy. Morning glory, also known as ‘water spinach’ or ‘kong xin cai’, gets its name from the hollow stems. This recipe focuses on quickly stir-frying fresh morning glory with tender beef over high heat to perfectly preserve its delightful crunch. While it makes a fantastic side dish, it truly shines as a complete meal on its own! Feel free to substitute beef with pork or add shrimp for a delicious variation.
Ingredients for Morning Glory Beef Stir-Fry- Morning glory (water spinach) 300g
- Ground beef 1 handful (approx. 50-70g)
- Oyster sauce 1 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Fish sauce 1 Tbsp
- Sugar 1/3 Tbsp
- Sesame oil 1/2 Tbsp
- Cooking oil (or canola oil) 2 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the morning glory thoroughly. In a bowl, combine 1 cup of water with 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Soak the morning glory in this vinegar solution for about 10 minutes. This helps to refresh the greens and clean any potential impurities.
Step 2
You can use your preferred cut of beef for this recipe; pork also pairs wonderfully. I’ve used beef chuck here, which can sometimes be a bit tough, so I’ve minced it finely. Using ground meat ensures a more tender texture.
Step 3
Drain the morning glory from the vinegar water and rinse it once more under running water. Ensure all excess water is drained by placing it in a colander. Trim off the very bottom ends of the stems, and then remove any tough, fibrous parts from the lower stems. This step is crucial for achieving the best crispy texture.
Step 4
Cut the prepared morning glory into bite-sized pieces, about 7-10 cm long. Separate the stem portions from the leaf portions. Keeping them separate will help you manage the cooking time for each part, ensuring optimal texture.
Step 5
Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil. Once the oil is hot, add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and stir-fry quickly until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Step 6
Add the ground beef to the wok. Stir-fry over high heat until the beef is no longer pink. Use chopsticks or a spatula to break up any clumps and ensure even cooking.
Step 7
Once the beef is mostly cooked, add the morning glory stems to the wok. Stir-fry over high heat for about 1 minute, keeping them crisp.
Step 8
Now, add the morning glory leaves. Pour in 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon of fish sauce, and 1/3 tablespoon of sugar. (You can add chopped chili peppers for a spicy kick, if desired.) Continue to stir-fry everything together over high heat for another 2-3 minutes, until the leaves are wilted but still retain some crispness. Avoid overcooking, as this will diminish the delightful crunch.
Step 9
Just before turning off the heat, drizzle in 1/2 tablespoon of sesame oil for an aromatic finish. Your delicious Morning Glory Beef Stir-Fry is ready to be served! Enjoy it with a warm bowl of rice.
