From The Thrifty Couple Kitchen – Its A Guy Stir Fry

Now, I need to clarify this from the very first.  I did not pick the title of this dish.  Thrifty Cas did.  If you ask me, I think its a bit condescending that she thinks this dish is sooo easy that a guy can make it.  Well, Ms Thrifty Cas, I just want you to know that it takes a very keen observation to know the exact moment to throw in the next ingredient and create a stir fry with vegetables that are tender, yet crisp with their flavor bursting at each bite. 

Ok, with that said, now we get to the boring details.  Honestly, I’m not sure if I can describe it, but I’ll do my very best.

Ingredients:

• Beef (preferable) but any other meat if your spouse demands it
• Vegetables in your fridge (our favorites are cabbage, onion, carrot chips, celery, mushrooms, peppers…or whatever veggies are about ready to turn)
• Salt and pepper
• Safflower oil
• Rice (long grained rice is preferable)

How to make it:

Ok, this is going to be a bit difficult.  Please try to keep up.

1. Cook your rice.  Make sure to time its finish with the end of the stir fry preparation to serve immediately for the freshest experience.
2. Cut up your beef (sigh…or other meat) and vegetables
3. Start sauteing your beef in your Safflower oil over main heat
4. Salt and pepper to taste
5. After it starts to brown throw in your onion
6. When the time seems right (don’t ask how you know) start adding your vegetables according to hardness.  For this particular stir fry I added the carrots, then celery, peppers, and then fresh mushrooms
7. Serve when ready (make sure to not over-cook your vegetables – remember tender but crispy!)

Ok, so the instructions are not that interesting.  But, you’ll notice I didn’t use any sauce for flavor.  This is a combination between having lovely children that don’t like spicy foods (if anyone knows me, you know how much I love a lot of heat in my food) and learning about the natural flavors of the foods.  Yep, when you cook the vegetables with a bit of oil, salt and pepper, you’ll note the amazing flavor that comes out in the vegetables!  The flavor combination is simple yet amazing.

So, why is this a Thrifty recipe?  Thrifty Cas points out in this week’s menu just how cheap the meat and vegetables were.  This week we made a double batch as we had some dear friends over.  Having a simple, healthy, and tasty dish is the thrifty way.  I love it!!

Please share some of your favorite stir fry recipes!  I know, I’m a guy, so possibly some of you might have a better adaption of this favorite recipe.  And yes, I know this recipe is so easy that even a guy can make it.