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9 Secrets to Better Stir Fries

By,
Gourmandize
Pro Tip: Season Your Wok 10/10

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Pro Tip: Season Your Wok

If you really want to make a stir fry worthy of an authentic Asian restaurant, try the wok hei stir fry technique, which involves cooking your stir fry in a seasoned wok over high heat, tossing and stirring constantly to make sure all the ingredients get nice and caramelized. By seasoned, we mean that your wok or pan should be heavily infused with aromatics so that it imparts more flavor during the cooking process.

To season your pan, heat it as if you're going to make the stir fry (over high heat until almost smoking), then add a few tablespoons of peanut oil, along with 1/2 cup of unpeeled, sliced ginger and 1 whole bunch of scallions sliced into 2-inch pieces. Turn the heat down to medium and let simmer for up to 15 minutes, pressing the seasonings down into the wok with a spatula. Add more oil, if necessary. Remove the wok from heat and let cool. Discard the aromatics, and give the wok a good rinse in hot water, without adding soap. You can use a sponge to wipe off the oil. Finally, instead of using a towel to dry the wok, heat it over low heat until there's no moisture left. And voilà! It's ready and seasoned for your wok hei-style stir fry. 


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VIDEO: Tasty Beef Tomato Pockets

Looking for an easy snack or party appetizer? These little beef pockets are a pinch!

Ingredients

Dough:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • Water

 Filling:

  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • A pinch of salt
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 cup tomato sauce

 Method

  1. Mix flour, sugar, salt, milk, and water in a pan, and mix until you form a dough.
  2. In a saucepan, heat a splash of olive oil and add the onion. Cook on medium-high until onion has softened.  
  3. Add the ground beef, and add the salt, water, and tomato sauce. When the meat has browned, remove from heat. 
  4. Dust a flat surface with flour, and roll out the dough into a flat sheet. 
  5. Use a ramekin or cup to cut out circles. 
  6. Add a dollop of beef-tomato mixture to the center of each circle. 
  7. Pinch the dough into a little pocket.
  8. Bake in the oven at 350° F for 15 minutes.
  9. Enjoy!