Crispy Napa Cabbage Stir-Fry
Crispy Napa Cabbage Stir-Fry
How to Deliciously Stir-Fry Young Napa Cabbage (Winter Cabbage) with a Simple Seasoning
My family enjoys cabbage dishes frequently! My mother often sends us cabbage from the countryside, so we make cabbage dishes often. This is a beloved recipe from my childhood.
Ingredients- 2 heads of young Napa cabbage (baby cabbage)
- 1 stalk of green onion
- 1 red chili pepper
Seasoning- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 5 Tbsp water
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- Pinch of salt (to taste)
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 5 Tbsp water
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- Pinch of salt (to taste)
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare all your ingredients before you begin cooking. You’ll need the clean young Napa cabbage, green onion, and a red chili pepper for a splash of color. You can use pre-minced garlic, or for a fresher aroma, simply pound whole garlic cloves.
Step 2
Thoroughly wash the 2 heads of young Napa cabbage under running water. Then, cut them into bite-sized pieces, about 5 cm long. Cutting them too small might make them mushy when cooked, so aim for a size that maintains a pleasant crunch.
Step 3
After slicing the cabbage, drain it well in a colander. Excess water can make the dish watery or soggy. You can gently pat it dry with paper towels or let it drain thoroughly.
Step 4
Trim and clean the green onion stalk. Slice it diagonally into about 0.5 cm thick pieces. This cut helps to bring out the onion’s natural sweetness and aroma during cooking.
Step 5
Remove the stem from the red chili pepper and slice it diagonally into thin pieces. This adds a beautiful vibrant color to your dish.
Step 6
If you don’t have minced garlic on hand, you can mince whole garlic cloves or flatten them with the side of your knife. Freshly minced garlic offers a much richer flavor.
Step 7
Heat a pan over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of sesame oil. The fragrant aroma of sesame oil will signal the start of your cooking.
Step 8
Add the prepared green onions to the pan and stir-fry them.
Step 9
Next, add the minced garlic (or pounded garlic).
Step 10
Stir-fry the green onions and garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn them. This step is crucial for developing a deep base flavor for the dish.
Step 11
Once the aromatics are fragrant, add the drained Napa cabbage to the pan. Stir-fry it until it begins to wilt slightly.
Step 12
At this point, add 5 tablespoons of water. A little liquid helps to cook the cabbage evenly without burning.
Step 13
Add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce for umami, and season with salt to your preference. Finally, add a pinch of black pepper for extra flavor. (You can substitute regular salt for the seasoning salt if needed.)
Step 14
Continue stir-frying over medium heat until the cabbage is tender and slightly translucent, allowing the seasonings to coat evenly. The key is to maintain some crunch, so avoid overcooking.
Step 15
Now, add the sliced red chili pepper for color.
Step 16
Stir-fry the chili peppers for just about 10-20 seconds until they are slightly softened. Keep the cooking time brief to preserve the fresh taste of the ingredients. If you find the seasoning needs adjusting, add a little more salt or soy sauce according to your taste.
Step 17
In a small bowl, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with about 1 tablespoon of water until smooth and no lumps remain. This mixture will add a nice sheen to the dish and help the sauce cling to the ingredients.
Step 18
Pour the well-mixed cornstarch slurry into the pan.
Step 19
As the slurry heats up and thickens, reduce the heat to low and stir-fry for about 10 more seconds to ensure the sauce evenly coats everything. Be careful not to overcook at this stage, as it can become gummy.
Step 20
Finally, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of toasted sesame seeds over the top for a nutty finish. Your delicious young Napa cabbage stir-fry is now ready! Enjoy it with a warm bowl of rice for a satisfying meal.
