Stir-Fried Celery with Glass Noodles
A light yet aromatic vegetarian dish featuring crisp celery and soft glass noodles tossed with warm spices. The noodles absorb all the fragrant flavors while keeping a satisfying bite.
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This dish proves that vegetarian Chinese food can be just as satisfying as its meat-based counterparts. The key is properly preparing the glass noodles so they soak up all the aromatic flavors without becoming mushy.
Ingredients
dried glass noodles
100 grams
celery (use Chinese celery for stronger flavor)
4-5 stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces
vegetable oil
3 tablespoons
garlic
4-5 cloves, thinly sliced
fresh ginger
1 inch, minced
star anise
3 whole pieces
salt
to taste
optional: few drops of sesame oil
for finishing
Instructions
1
Soak the noodles
Place dried glass noodles in warm water and let them soften for about 30 minutes. Once pliable, drain well and snip the strands a few times to keep them manageable. Toss with a few drops of oil if desired to prevent sticking.
2
Build the aromatics
Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over medium heat. Add the star anise, sliced garlic, and minced ginger. Let them sizzle and release their fragrance—this should take about 2 minutes. The garlic should turn lightly golden but not burnt.
3
Cook the celery
Add the celery pieces to the wok. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they turn bright green and retain a slight crunch. The star anise will have infused the oil with a subtle warmth that coats each piece.
4
Combine and finish
Add the prepared glass noodles to the wok. Toss everything together over high heat for 2-3 minutes until the noodles are heated through and have absorbed the aromatic oils. Season with salt to taste. Finish with a drizzle of sesame oil if using. Serve immediately while hot.
