Sweet and Spicy Stir Fry - Vegan & Gluten Free
This chopped no-chicken and veggie stir fry is drenched in perfectly balanced sweet and spicy Asian restaurant inspired sauce. Crunchy, fresh tasting and ready in 30 minutes!
Ingredients
Stir Fry
- 1 cup Soy Butler Curls
- 3 cups water or broth
- 2 tbsp neutral oil
- 3 cloves fresh garlic - chopped
- 1 2 inch ginger - chopped
- 1 cup baby bok choy - chopped
- 4 stalks celery - chopped
- 1/2 cup scallions - chopped
- 1/2 cup raw almonds - chopped
Sweet and Spicy Stir Fry Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp sambal oelek - or another chili sauce like Sriracha
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp cornstarch
Instructions
- In a sauce pan, bring water or broth to boil. Remove from heat and toss in dried Soy Butler curls. Stir well and allow to sit for 5 minutes until re-hydrated. Drain VERY well and squeeze as much liquid as you can from them.
- In a large non-stick pan over med-high heat, add oil and Soy Curls. Cook for 7 minutes until they begin to brown.
- Toss in the garlic and ginger, stirring constantly for about 30 seconds.
- Add in chopped celery, bok choy and scallions. Cook, stirring often, until bok choy leaves are bright green and slightly softened (about 3 minutes). Celery should remain quite crisp, but cook to desired crunchiness.
- Give sauce a quick stir and pour into the pan. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and everything is evenly coated (about 1-2 minutes). Add almonds and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and serve or rice or noodles!
Sweet and Spicy Stir Fry Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients. Set aside.
Notes
- I used finely chopped celery, scallions and baby bok choy. Other leafy greens, broccoli and even baby corn would likely be good in this stir fry as well!
- Hugely important to use both fresh garlic and ginger. This stir fry is actually rather simple, and much of the flavour will depend on this awesome duo! If you have to use jarred, it's not a deal breaker, but if you have the option to go fresh, be sure you do.
- Soy Butler Curls are my preferred vegan chicken substitute. They are dried, giving them a long shelf life and because they are virtually flavourless, they absorb whatever sauce or liquid they are in. However, your favorite vegan chicken product should work here. Tofu could also be an option, but will alter this stir fry.
- Raw chopped almonds add an amazing texture without overwhelming the dish. Unsalted roasted peanuts might actually work nicely here as well!
- Huy Fong Foods makes my die-hard fav sambal oelek sauce. Any Asian-style chili sauce could work here. Sriracha would make a fine replacement.