Perfectly Balanced: A Simple Stir-Fry Recipe

A simple stir-fry recipe is a versatile meal that can be enjoyed year-round. It’s quick to prepare and adaptable to many flavors depending on the ingredients you have at hand. This dish not only satisfies your craving for something flavorful but also offers a healthy balance of protein, vegetables, and carbohydrates. Stir-fries are a great option if you're looking to eat lighter or want an easy meal that won't take up too much time in the kitchen. Let's dive into how you can make this dish at home with minimal effort.

Ingredients

For a simple yet satisfying stir-fry, you will need:

• 1 lb (450g) boneless chicken breasts or thighs - cut them into bite-sized pieces for easy cooking
• 1 medium red onion, sliced thinly
• 2 cups of broccoli florets
• 1 bell pepper (any color), sliced into strips
• Soy sauce or tamari to taste - about 3 tablespoons for seasoning
• Ginger root, minced - approximately 1 inch piece finely chopped
• Garlic cloves, crushed - around 4-5 cloves depending on your preference.
• Vegetable oil or cooking spray to coat the pan
• Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

Steps to Make a Stir-Fry

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: Approximately 30 minutes including marinating time.

Servings: This recipe makes enough for 4 servings.

1. Begin by preparing the chicken: Soak your meat in soy sauce, minced ginger, garlic, and pepper flakes (if you like spicy food) for at least 30 minutes. This helps to infuse flavor into the protein while it marinates.
2. While the chicken is marinating, prepare all other ingredients as needed – slice onions finely, cut vegetables such as broccoli florets and bell peppers into small pieces ensuring they are ready when you start stir-frying them together later.
3. Cook your vegetables first. Heat up a large skillet or wok until hot. Add some vegetable oil or cooking spray to ensure even distribution of heat throughout the pan. Sauté the onions for about 5 minutes until they become translucent before adding broccoli and bell peppers. Stir-fry these together until they just begin to turn bright green, which usually takes around 10-12 more minutes.
4. Remove your vegetables from the skillet after cooking them briefly; set aside on a plate or bowl temporarily.
5. Return any remaining oil in the pan and sear chicken pieces until browned. Once they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, remove them too and place alongside the vegetables you cooked earlier.
6. To combine everything, mix all components back into one big batch. Add soy sauce or tamari to taste, toss well, let it cook for another couple minutes until fully heated through without allowing anything to overcook again.

Once everything has been combined and flavors are nicely melded together, remove from heat immediately after ensuring all components have reached your desired level of doneness. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top if using them as garnish. Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.

Enjoy Your Meal

This simple stir-fry dish is an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy a delicious and nutritious meal without spending too much time in the kitchen. With its balance of protein, vegetables, and carbohydrates, it caters well as part of a healthy lifestyle. Feel free to customize this basic recipe by adding other ingredients such as mushrooms, carrots, or any preferred meat (like shrimp or tofu). Stir-fries are incredibly flexible; experiment with different sauces, spices, and accompaniments to suit your taste preferences.