Garlic Stir-Fried Spinach
A quick and savory Chinese side dish featuring fresh spinach wilted in a hot wok with fragrant garlic and a splash of oil.
Story
A beloved staple of home-style Chinese cooking, garlic stir-fried spinach is the kind of dish that proves simplicity can be deeply satisfying. In just a few minutes over high heat, tender spinach leaves are tossed with sizzling minced garlic until they wilt into a vibrant, glossy green. A drizzle of oil and a pinch of seasoning let the natural sweetness of the greens shine through, balanced by the sharp, aromatic punch of garlic. It is a classic everyday vegetable dish, often served alongside rice and a main course to round out a comforting meal.
Ingredients
spinach
a handful
garlic cloves
a few
salt, salad oil
a pinch
Instructions
1
Step 1
Prepare ingredients: Spinach: a handful; Garlic cloves: several; Salt and salad oil: to taste. Cut off the roots of the spinach, wash, and cut into several sections. Peel the garlic cloves, then crush them with the flat side of the knife and set aside.
2
Step 2
Turn on the heat and first dry out the moisture in the wok. Pour in some salad oil; once the oil is warm over high heat, add the garlic cloves first to release fragrance, then add the spinach stems and stir-fry a few times. Next, add all of the leaves and stir-fry until cooked through and tender. Before removing from the wok, add an appropriate amount of salt to season, stir evenly, and then turn off the heat.
3
Step 3
Spinach easily releases water, so during the process I did not add any extra water to the wok. Stir-frying spinach is best done quickly over high heat so the leaves can stay bright green. However, spinach should not be stirred constantly, as the leaves will easily become soft and mushy and will not look appetizing. Fortunately, this bunch of spinach was fresh, tender, and delicious. The children also really liked it, repeatedly putting the vegetables into their mouths. At least, the hundred dollars were not spent in vain!!
