Sweet-Sour Stir-Fry with Walnuts

DESCRIPTION

This delicious take on stir-fry is a great idea for a weeknight family meal.

Total Time
45 Mins
Serves
4
Meal

Total Time

Prep Time
30 Mins
Cook Time
15 Mins
Total Time
45 Mins

Nutrition

Calories
454 cal
Total Fat
32 g
Polyunsaturated Fat
20 g
Cholesterol
0 mg
Sodium
455 mg
Carbohydrates
28 g
Dietary Fiber
8 g
Protein
22 g

Ingredients

For The Glaze:

  • 1/2 cup orange juice (from 1 medium orange)
  • 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 good-sized cloves)
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

For The Stir-Fry:

  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1 medium onion, cut into large (1 1/2-inch) squares
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 medium carrots, sliced on the diagonal (1/4-inch thick)
  • 1/2 a medium head cauliflower, in 1-inch florets (about 3 cups)
  • 1/2 a medium head broccoli, chopped (about 3 cups)
  • About 15 mushrooms–stems trimmed, wiped clean, and quartered
  • 1 pound very firm tofu, cut into 3/4 -inch cubes
  • 2 small zucchini (one yellow, one green), chopped or diced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch squares
  • 1 1/2 cups lightly toasted California walnut pieces
  • Green onions, thinly sliced, for garnish
  • Orange zest, for garnish

Preparation

  1. Combine all the glaze ingredients (except the cornstarch) in a liquid measuring cup with a spout, and whisk until blended. Place the cornstarch in a small bowl, and drizzle in about 1/4 cup of the glaze, whisking constantly until the cornstarch is dissolved. (The mixture will be cloudy.) Pour this solution back into the measuring cup, whisking it in. Set aside, leaving the whisk in the cup.
  2. Have all the vegetables and the tofu cut and in bowls or containers near the stove. Place a wok or large, deep skillet over medium heat and wait about a minute. Pour in 1 tablespoon of the oil, and swirl to coat the pan (or just push the oil around with a wok spatula or serving spoon). Turn the heat to high, add the onion and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add the other tablespoon of oil, plus the carrot, cauliflower, and broccoli–and another 1/4 teaspoon of the salt. Keep the heat high and the vegetables moving, and stir-fry for approximately 2 minutes, or until the broccoli turns bright green and shiny.
  3. Add the mushrooms and tofu or chicken– and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Keep the heat high, and continue to stir-fry for another minute, mixing all the vegetables up from the bottom of the pan. Add the zucchini and bell pepper, and cook one more minute.
  4. Whisk the glaze to reincorporate the cornstarch (it will have settled to the bottom) then quickly pour the whole cupful into the wok or skillet. Cook and stir for just about a minute more, adding in the walnuts at the very last second.. The glaze will coat everything and thicken a little. Serve immediately, over rice.

Possible other touches:

  • Throw in a handful of snow peas or sugar snap peas along with the bell pepper
  • Add up to 1/2 cup fresh or drained canned pineapple chunks along with the bell pepper
  • Add up to 1 tablespoon grated orange zest to the glaze (zest the orange before juicing it)
  • Pass soy sauce, chili oil, and toasted sesame oil at the table