Super Simple Stir Fry (Meat+Veg+Sauce+Rice= Win!)

Stir fry-style meals are incredibly versatile. All you need is vegetables, lean meat(s) or shrimp, a sauce or marinade, and rice or rice noodles.

Below is my favorite go-to recipe. To keep things simple, I myself generally use a bell pepper and whatever lean meat happens to be on sale for the week. This recipe includes a marinade that can also be used to make a very quick sauce afterwards, which can add extra flavor to the dish. The water in the recipe increases the volume of the reserved marinade and cuts some of the saltiness, and the sugar is used to thicken the marinade into a sauce, while giving it a sweet flavor.

The garlic, lime juice, Siracha sauce, and ginger powder can be varied according to your personal taste. I myself sometimes want more lime flavor, and other days I want a lot of ginger. Some days I want my meal super-spicy, and other times I prefer it mild. Also, keep in mind that fresh limes and fresh ginger produce a higher-quality taste, but in a pinch, bottled lime juice an powdered ginger can do the trick. Switching things up is fun, so feel free to experiment with this recipe!


Super Simple Stir-Fry
Yeilds: 1 Serving*

Ingredients:
1 Tbsp Cooking Oil (preferably sesame)
1/2 lb Lean meat, cut into thin pieces (or shrimp)
1/2 Bell Pepper (and/or other desired veg), cut into thin pieces
Stir fry marinade/sauce (see below)

Simple Stir-Fry Marinade/Sauce Base:
3/4 cup      Soy Sauce (Low Sodium)
2-3 toes     Minced Garlic
1 Tbsp       Lime Juice
1 1/2 Tbsp Siracha
1-2 tsps     Ginger Powder

2 1/2 Tbsp Sugar
1 Tbsp       Water


Instructions: 
1) Cook rice or rice noodles according to package instructions. Set aside.

2) In a bowl or plastic storage bag, prepare marinade using all ingredients except sugar and water. Stir ingredients until well combined.
3) Marinate shrimp or thinly cut pieces in marinade for 20mins or more, according to desired flavor intensity.
4) If making Stir-Fry Sauce, separate meat pieces from marinade by draining marinade into a separate bowl or a measuring cup. Stir in 1 Tablespoon water. Set aside.

5) Pour cooking oil  into a skillet or wok and turn heat to high.
6) When cooking oil is hot, cook the bell pepper and marinated meat pieces until meat is fully cooked. (If using multiple types of meats and/or vegetables, cook veg and meats in order according to their cooking times.)
7) Serve with rice or rice noodles.

8) To make stir-fry sauce: 

1. Pour reserved marinade into skillet or wok.
2. Turn heat to high.
3. Sprinkle a small, even amount of sugar on top of marinade.
4. Stir, until sauce just begins to coat the spoon.
5. Turn off heat immediately.
6. Pour finished sauce on top of dish.

*All Measurements are approximated