I wanna wok with you. All night.
Dance you in the sunlight.
Wok the night away.
I have a bunch of Chinese-American style dishes in the Gluten-Free on a Shoestring, the cookbook. I am careful to indicate in each of them that you do not need a wok. You can use a saute pan. And I did not tell a lie. It’s just that I am not as resolved as I once was. And I’m ready to make a case for a wok in your kitchen as an essential kitchen basic.
I wanna wok with you. Is that really so wrong?
And I’m going to suggest that, should you choose to buy and use a wok (assuming you don’t already have one), you buy one that has a flat bottom and is made of carbon steel or lightweight cast iron. If you’re willing to spend a few more bucks, you can buy one that is already seasoned. The brand that I have is Joyce Chen, and I really like it. Since I did not buy it pre-seasoned, I had to season it myself, but it is really lovely now and I use it early and often.
The surface of a seasoned wok acts like non-stick, but with one crucial difference: you can crank up the flame to a high heat. And to use a wok the way it is intended, you have to use it on very high heat. It is meant to work by distributing high heat very efficiently over its surface, and cooking food very quickly using precious little oil. Just remember to use a neutral oil that has a high smoking point, like grapeseed oil. Cooking in a wok is quick, efficient, and a good stir-fry is terribly cost-effective, since it can be a satisfying without calling for too much meat.
This is the wok that I own and use regularly: Joyce Chen Carbon Steel Wok.
Here I have made a simple pork stir fry, but you could easily substitute chicken or even beef for the pork. Some cooking notes: My husband and I love ginger, but my kids don’t so I often omit it. And the orange juice adds a really nice flavor, but only if it is fresh-squeezed. If you don’t feel like squeezing juice for any reason, just omit it. The dish will still be delightful. And if you don’t have a wok, don’t let that stop you. Use a large saute pan, and some more oil. No biggie.
Pork Stir Fry
MAKES 4 SERVINGS
Ingredients
1 pound lean boneless pork, sliced thinly against the grain
6 tablespoons gluten-free soy sauce, divided
4 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons rice vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup gluten-free chicken stock
1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger (optional)
1/2 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice (optional)
4 to 6 tablespoons cooking oil with a high smoke point (like soybean, peanut, or grapeseed)
Cooked broccoli crowns, brown rice, and sliced scallions for serving
1. In a large plastic zip top bag, place the sliced pork, 4 tablespoons of soy sauce, and the honey. Seal the bag tight, and massage it to combine well. Allow the pork to marinate for an hour at room temperature.
2. While the pork is marinating, make the sauce. In a medium size saucepan, place the remaining 2 tablespoons soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, stock, cornstarch, optional ginger, and optional orange juice. Cook over medium high heat, stirring frequently, until the sauce is fragrant and beings to thicken (about 6 or 7 minutes). Set the saucepan aside.
3. When the pork has finished marinating, heat the cooking oil in your wok (or saute pan) until very hot. Carefully add the pork to the hot pan, and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes in a wok or a few minutes longer in a saute pan, until cooked through. If you sliced it thinly, the pork won’t take long to cook. Remove the cooked pork from the pan and set it aside.
4. If you are serving the stir fry with broccoli or another vegetable, throw it in to the wok as well along with a few tablespoons of the sauce, and stir to coat.
5. Plate the dish by lining a dish with cooked rice, then a mixture of pork and broccoli, and finished off with some sliced scallions, white and green parts.
Serve immediately.
Warmly,
Nicole
Christine says
I tried the pork stir fry recipe with chicken. We all LOVED it! Very tasty. I used the optional ingredients, but didn’t have fresh ginger. So I substituted ground ginger spice. Thanks for the recipe – it’s going in our “keeper” box.
Nicole says
Hi, Christine,
That sounds great! My son is just wrong in not liking ginger. I’m so glad you made it “right,” with ginger. :) I’m grateful to you for trying it with chicken. Now I can do the same! Thank you so much for posting!
Warm regards,
Nicole
Rachel @ The Crispy Cook says
Just reviewed your great cookbook on my blog and wanted to let you know that we really are enjoying your flour tortilla recipe.
Nicole says
Hi, Rachel,
Thank you so much for the lovely review! I just read it, felt my face grow hot with embarrassment, and then left you a comment. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the flour tortillas. They’re a staple in our house!
Warm regards,
Nicole
carrie @ gingerlemongirl.com says
Nicole – I just wanted you to know that I’m SO impressed with your book! It’s one of the most down to earth, “these are recipes you’re missing so you can just feel normal again” kind of cookbook and I’m proud to have it in my kitchen! Since Blogher changed their rules for reviews, I hope to be able to review it on my blog soon and hopefully try one of your great recipes! Congrats on your book and a hearty pat on the back to you for making such a great cookbook for everyday home cooks!
Nicole says
Hi, Carrie! I just posted on your blog! I can’t believe you plan out your weeks like that. I’m so ashamed. :(
Thank you so much for the kind words about the book! I think it’s all about feeling “normal.” I know that is what I wanted, and still want, for myself and my family. If you’d like to review the book on your blog (which would be wonderful), if you don’t already have it, I’d be happy to have a review copy sent to you. Just say the word. I’m not even really sure what BlogHer is, although I see it all over the place, but I hope they don’t stop you from reviewing the book!
Thank you again for posting! You’re so kind.
Warm regards,
Nicole