Description
A quick and vibrant Zucchini Stir Fry featuring fresh vegetables tossed in a savory soy and sesame sauce. This easy-to-make, colorful dish is perfect as a healthy side or a light vegan main when served over rice, offering a delightful balance of crisp-tender zucchini, sweet bell peppers, and aromatic garlic and ginger.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into half-moons
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
Sauce & Oils
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish (Optional)
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil: Warm the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat, creating the ideal environment for stir-frying the vegetables.
- Sauté onions: Add the thinly sliced onions and cook for about 2 minutes until they become slightly softened and translucent, releasing their sweetness.
- Add aromatics and bell pepper: Introduce the minced garlic, grated ginger, and sliced red bell pepper to the pan. Stir-fry for another 2 minutes to infuse the dish with their flavor while maintaining a crisp texture.
- Cook zucchini: Add the sliced zucchini and stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes until the zucchini is just tender but still retains a slight crunch, preserving its freshness and bite.
- Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and optional red pepper flakes, blending all the flavors into a harmonious sauce.
- Toss vegetables in sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the cooked vegetables in the skillet, tossing to ensure every piece is evenly coated and flavorful.
- Final cooking: Cook the mixture for an additional 1 minute to meld the flavors and allow the sauce to slightly thicken, then remove from heat immediately.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired, and serve immediately as either a side dish or atop rice for a wholesome light meal.
Notes
- For added protein, incorporate tofu, shrimp, or chicken to the stir fry.
- Feel free to mix in additional vegetables like mushrooms, snap peas, or carrots to customize the dish.
- Use tamari instead of regular soy sauce to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level or omit if sensitivity to spice is a concern.
