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STIR-FRYING is a quick and easy cooking technique that allows you to create delicious meals in minutes. By cooking ingredients over high heat in a wok (or your trusty non-stick pan) with a flavoursome sauce, stir-fries retain the natural goodness of fresh ingredients while combining vibrant colours, mouth-watering flavours and a harmony of tastes and textures.
One of the secrets to perfect stir-fries lies in having your lip-smacking sauces at the ready. These saucy wonders add depth, complexity and a hint of sweetness or spice, elevating your creations to new heights. So let's dive into some simple yet scrumptious recipes that feature a range of ingredients and flavours, allowing you to customise your stir-fry masterpieces to suit your fancy.
Here are a few simple stir-fry sauces that you can make and store easily.
1. Classic Stir-Fry Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (to thicken the sauce)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
Combine all the ingredients in a jar or airtight container and shake well. This sauce goes well with a variety of stir-fried dishes.
2. Teriyaki Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, to thicken the sauce)
Mix all the ingredients together in a jar or container. This sauce is perfect for teriyaki chicken or beef stir-fry.
3. Spicy Garlic Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili paste or sriracha (adjust according to your spice preference)
Combine all the ingredients and mix well. This sauce adds a delicious kick to your stir-fried vegetables or shrimp.
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4. Peanut Sauce
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Water (to adjust consistency)
Whisk together all the ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Add water gradually to achieve your desired sauce consistency. This sauce is perfect for vegetable or tofu stir-fries.
5. Ginger Garlic Stir-Fry Sauce
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup, minced ginger, minced garlic, sesame oil (if using), water, and cornstarch (if desired for thickening). Use this sauce in stir-fried vegetable or protein dishes. Add it to the pan during the last few minutes of cooking, allowing it to coat the ingredients and thicken slightly. This sauce pairs well with stir-fried vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, and protein options like tofu, chicken, or shrimp.
6. Lemon Pepper Stir-Fry Sauce
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, soy sauce, honey or maple syrup, lemon zest, black pepper, salt, water, and cornstarch (if desired for thickening). Use this tangy and peppery sauce in stir-fried dishes. Add it to the pan during the last few minutes of cooking to infuse the flavours into the ingredients. This sauce is great for stir-frying vegetables like peas, carrots, cabbage, bok choy, or even tofu or thinly sliced meat.
Remember to store these sauces in a sealed container in the refrigerator, and they should last for about a week or two. If you want to extend the shelf life of your stir-fry sauces, you can freeze them. Just make sure to leave some headroom in the container since sauces tend to expand due to their water content. Feel free to adjust the ingredients and quantities based on your taste preferences.
