Back to list

Best Easy Stir Fried Water Spinach Recipe

Name: Best Easy Stir Fried Water Spinach Recipe
Total time: 9 min
Yield: 80 g
Ingredients: water spinach 12 oz; garlic cloves 4 pieces; red chili 1 piece; vegetable oil 2 tbsp; soy sauce 1 tbsp; salt 0.5 tsp

Water spinach (kong xin cai) is flash-fried with garlic and chili for a vibrant, crunchy green dish. This vegetarian, low calorie stir-fry is a beloved family side across Southern China.

Cook 9 min Difficulty EASY 65 kcal

#vegetarian #low calorie #mediterranean

Image coming soon

Ingredients

Main ingredients

water spinach 12 oz
garlic cloves 4 pieces
red chili 1 piece

Seasonings/Sauce

vegetable oil 2 tbsp
soy sauce 1 tbsp
salt 0.5 tsp

Nutrition summary

Carbohydrates 7 g 43%

Protein 3 g 19%

Fat 2.5 g 38%

Serving size 80g

Cooking steps

1

Rinse water spinach thoroughly and trim into 3-inch segments, separating stems and leaves.
2

Slice garlic cloves thinly and cut red chili into rings.
3

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high until shimmering.
4

Add garlic and chili; sauté for 20 seconds to infuse the oil without burning.
5

Increase heat to high, add water spinach stems; stir fry rapidly for 45 seconds before adding leaves.
6

Drizzle soy sauce, sprinkle salt; toss for another 30 seconds just until leaves are wilted and stems remain crisp.
7

Transfer immediately to a plate to stop cooking and preserve crisp texture.

Personalized Q&A

Q. What's the key ingredient in this recipe?

Water spinach is the star ingredient, giving the dish its vibrant green color, crunchy texture, and signature flavor. Garlic and chili also play critical roles, adding aromatic depth and a gentle kick without overpowering the greens.

Q. How do I prevent water spinach from getting soggy?

For crisp results, stir fry over high heat and add the leaves only after the stems are partially cooked. Finish cooking quickly and transfer to a plate immediately – lingering heat can make the greens limp.

Q. What is the main cooking technique in this recipe?

Flash-frying is the essential technique: using high heat, ingredients are stirred rapidly to preserve a crunchy texture and vibrant color. Oil temperature and speedy sequencing prevent excess moisture and overcooking.

Q. How many calories and carbs are there per serving?

Each 80g serving contains about 65 kcal and 7g carbohydrates, making it a light, low calorie side. The carb caloric ratio is roughly 43%, with protein at 19% and fat at 38%.

Q. Which ingredient gives the dish most of its flavor?

Garlic, sautéed briefly in vegetable oil, delivers much of the aromatic flavor here, while soy sauce adds subtle savory depth. The chili ring provides a mild heat, perfectly complementing the water spinach.

Best Easy Stir Fried Water Spinach Recipe

AI 영양사 앤디