Smoky Stir Fried Greens Recipes

SMOKY STIR-FRIED GREENS

Steps:

• Combine about 2 quarts water and 1 tablespoon kosher salt in a saucepan or wok and bring to a boil over high heat. Add vegetables and cook, stirring, until bright green and crisp-tender, about 20 seconds. Immediately drain vegetables and transfer them to an ice bath, or run under cool water until chilled. Spin vegetables dry in a salad spinner, or pat dry on a paper towel-lined sheet tray.
• Combine sugar, cornstarch, white pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl. Stir with a spoon until homogenous, then set aside, leaving the spoon in the bowl.
• Using a paper towel, rub a very thin film of oil into a wok or large skillet, then set over high heat until lightly smoking. Add 1 tablespoon oil and swirl to coat. Add garlic and stir-fry until fragrant but not browned, about 10 seconds.
• Immediately add vegetables and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Working quickly, ignite your blowtorch and, holding the flame 2 to 3 inches above the vegetables, sweep across the surface while shaking the pan, until a smoky aroma reaches your nose, about 15 seconds. (You should hear a distinct crackle and see small bursts of orange flame as the oil on the vegetables jumps and combusts.)
• Still working quickly, stir-fry for another 30 seconds, and torch for another 15 seconds. Stir the sauce to loosen and to distribute the cornstarch that has settled at the bottom of the bowl, then pour it into the wok and stir-fry until the vegetables are coated in a glossy glaze, about 15 seconds. Transfer to a bowl and serve immediately.

BUTTERMILK FRIED TOFU WITH SMOKY COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add collards and water; cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and wilted, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vinegar, paprika and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover to keep warm.
• Meanwhile, cut tofu crosswise into 8 equal pieces. Blot with paper towels to remove excess water. Whisk buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder and cayenne in a 7-by-11-inch baking dish. Add the tofu and turn to coat. Let stand, turning once, for 5 minutes.
• Place panko on a plate. Dredge the tofu in the panko, coating both sides.
• Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu and cook until brown and crispy on one side, 4 to 5 minutes. Turn the tofu over and drizzle in the remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Cook until browned on the other side, about 4 minutes more.
• Sprinkle the tofu with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and serve with the collards and hot honey, if desired.

SMOKY LO MEIN WITH SHIITAKE AND VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot or wok of salted water to a boil. Cook noodles for 1 minute, then drain thoroughly and transfer to a sheet tray. Toss noodles with 1 tablespoon neutral oil to prevent sticking, spread into a single layer and set aside.
• Using a paper towel, rub a very thin film of neutral oil into a wok or skillet, then set over high heat until lightly smoking. Add 1 tablespoon neutral oil and swirl to coat. Add the shiitake mushrooms, cabbage, carrot and onion, and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Toss a few times, then let the vegetables sit without disturbing until lightly charred on one side, about 20 seconds. Toss and stir, then let them sit and char again. Repeat several times until the vegetables are tender-crisp and lightly charred on multiple surfaces, 2 to 5 minutes total.
• Transfer vegetables to a sheet tray and spread into a single layer. Place the tray of vegetables and the tray of noodles on a heatproof surface, such as on top of your burner grates.
• Ignite your blowtorch and, holding the flame 2 to 3 inches above each tray, sweep across the vegetables and noodles until a smoky aroma reaches your nose, about 15 seconds per tray. (You should hear a distinct crackle and see small bursts of orange flame as the oil on the vegetables and noodles jumps and combusts.) Toss the noodles and the vegetables with a pair of tongs, and torch again.
• Wipe out the wok and return to high heat until lightly smoking. Add 1 more tablespoon of neutral oil and swirl to coat. Add the scallions and garlic and stir-fry until fragrant, about 10 seconds. Immediately add the vegetables and noodles to the wok and stir-fry until homogenous. Add a small amount of neutral oil to the edge of the wok, and on the same spot, add the soy sauces and wine, which should sizzle immediately.
• Add sesame oil, white pepper and mung bean sprouts. Toss everything in the wok until coated in sauce and the bean sprouts are lightly wilted, about 30 seconds. Add more neutral oil as necessary to keep noodles loosened. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve immediately.

SMOKY HOT CHICKEN STIR-FRIED WITH DRIED RED CHILLIES AND GREEN G

Steps:

• Combine chicken with cornflour and shao sing wine in a bowl. Cover, place in refrigerator and leave to marinate for 1 hour.
• Place 1st measure of oil and chillies in a cold wok and then turn heat to low. Cook for about 1½ minutes or until chillies begin to darken slightly. Using a slotted spoon, immediately remove chillies and drain on kitchen paper.
• Leaving chilli-infused oil in wok, turn heat up to high and stir-fry half the chicken cubes for 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon.
• Add extra oil to wok with remaining chicken and stir-fry for 3 minutes. Return all chicken to wok, along with ginger and reserved chillies, and stir-fry for 1 minute.
• Add sugar and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Add remaining ingredients and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Serve immediately.