Beijing-style Stir-Fried Celery

Ingredients

In this Beijing-style adaptation, the French Céleri paysanne is transformed into a stir-fried dish. The original dish typically involves slow-cooking celery with other vegetables, while the Beijing-style version focuses on quick stir-frying to retain the crunchiness of the celery. The seasonings are also adjusted to incorporate Beijing cuisine's characteristic flavors, such as soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and a hint of chili. We alse have the original recipe for Céleri paysanne, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) celery, sliced diagonally 500g (1.1 lb) celery, sliced diagonally
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 1 red chili, thinly sliced 1 red chili, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (for garnish) 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 90 kcal / 377 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 6g, 0.5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 8g, 3g
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat.
2. 2.
   Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and sliced chili. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. 3.
   Add the sliced celery to the wok and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp.
4. 4.
   In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, white pepper, and sesame oil.
5. 5.
   Pour the sauce mixture over the celery and stir-fry for an additional 1-2 minutes until the celery is well-coated and cooked to your desired tenderness.
6. 6.
   Remove from heat and garnish with toasted sesame seeds.
7. 7.
   Serve hot as a side dish or as part of a larger Beijing-style meal.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Celery — Ensure the celery is fresh and crisp for the best texture in the stir-fry.
• Ginger — Use fresh ginger for its aromatic flavor and grate it finely for even distribution.
• Garlic — Mince the garlic cloves finely to release their flavor more effectively.
• Red chili — Adjust the amount of chili according to your spice preference.
• Sesame seeds — Toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat until golden brown for enhanced nutty flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For a more substantial meal, add sliced tofu or cooked chicken to the stir-fry.
• Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preferences by adding more soy sauce for saltiness or more sugar for sweetness.
• Serve the stir-fried celery with steamed rice or noodles for a satisfying meal.
• Experiment with other vegetables such as bell peppers or carrots to add more color and texture to the dish.
• To make it spicier, add a dash of chili oil or sprinkle some dried chili flakes.

Serving advice

Serve the Beijing-style Stir-Fried Celery as a side dish alongside other Beijing-inspired dishes, such as Peking duck or Mongolian beef. Alternatively, it can be enjoyed as a standalone dish with steamed rice or noodles.

Presentation advice

Arrange the stir-fried celery on a serving plate, ensuring the vibrant green color of the celery is visible. Sprinkle the dish with toasted sesame seeds for an added visual appeal. Serve it with chopsticks to embrace the authentic Beijing dining experience.