There are nights when dinner starts with a very unhelpful thought: “What is there to cook?” The fridge may have a few vegetables, there might be some rice left from lunch, and there is usually a packet of noodles hiding somewhere in the cupboard. That is when garlic earns its place.
Adding just two or three cloves of Chinese garlic in a hot frying pan will do wonders for the whole dish. This particular variety has a rich and strong flavour, which makes it ideal for combining with traditional flavours of Asian cuisine, soy sauce, chilli sauce, and sesame oil. Keep those around and there is plenty of room to improvise. If the cupboard is missing something, the best grocery delivery app can make a quick restock much less of a hassle.
When Noodles Are The Answer
The very first thing you need to do is to prepare your noodles by following the instructions given in the pack and then drain and keep it aside.
Now heat some oil in a pan and sauté garlic in such a way that the pungent smell of garlic changes into an aromatic one. You can then add your soy sauce, chilli sauce and finally the noodles. Toss everything together.
That is the basic recipe. The extras depend entirely on what is available. Shredded cabbage is great. So are carrots, capsicum and spring onions. A fried egg works surprisingly well on top. The garlic needs watching, though. Burnt garlic has a habit of taking over the entire dish.
The Case For Leftover Fried Rice
No need to feel guilty eating yesterday’s rice again because fried rice was practically invented for leftovers.
Get some oil in your big pan and fry some minced garlic. Throw in whatever vegetables that you have lying around and need to be used first. Peas, carrots, beans and spring onions should do. Push all those aside, beat some eggs and throw in your cold rice.
Sprinkle some soy sauce and black pepper into it and turn up the heat.
Try not to add too much sauce. Fried rice should taste savoury without becoming wet and heavy. A little browning on the rice is a bonus.
Use Whatever Is In The Fridge
A stir fry does not need to follow a strict recipe. That is probably why it is so useful. Cut up a few vegetables and heat a pan until it is properly hot. Add oil, garlic and some grated ginger. Then add the vegetables and keep them moving.
Keep The Everyday Ingredients Handy
The trick is not to buy every ingredient found in an Asian recipe. Buy the things that will actually get used.
Rice, noodles, garlic, soy sauce, chilli sauce, and some veggies will take care of most meals. In case any one of them gets finished, then the best grocery delivery app can come to the rescue to ensure that grocery shopping does not become yet another chore.
Conclusion
It is possible to experiment with these recipes as much as you like. If you feel like adding more chillies, then go ahead, use more vegetables, or change your rice to noodles. Not everything has to be the same every time. Keep Chinese garlicin the kitchen, start with whatever ingredients are available and see where the pan takes things. Having the best grocery delivery app handy for restocking simply makes the whole process a little easier.