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Yu Choy Recipe

The yu choy (or choi sum) variety of cabbage has been around since ancient China.

Yu choy is often referred to as “Chinese green” because of its bright coloration when raw.

The leaves have a mild flavor that’s similar to bok choy but slightly sweeter.

This vegetable can be eaten fresh or cooked into soup or stir-fry dishes.

Yu choy is known for being one of the healthiest vegetables available today.

Its high nutritional value includes vitamins A, C, E, K, B1, B2, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and folate.

A good way to eat yu choy is to steam it first so that it becomes tender before adding it to any recipes.

There are many ways to cook this vegetable.

Some people like to sauté them in their favorite seasonings while others prefer to use Asian sauces such as oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, chili paste, and dark soy sauce.

If you want to add more flavor to your yu choy, try using some dried shrimps instead of just plain fish sauce.

You may also want to toss in some sliced tofu if you’re looking to cut back on saturated fats.

In addition to its impressive list of nutrients, yu choy is also low in calories.

One cup contains only about 45 calories, which makes it a great option for anyone watching their weight.

With all these benefits in mind, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that this versatile veggie is popular among chefs worldwide.

So what exactly should you know about preparing a yu choy recipe?

Keep reading below to learn all there is to know!

Yu Choy Recipe

What Ingredients Do You Need To Make A Yu Choy Recipe?

You will need a large head of cabbage and a few other key ingredients in order to create a tasty dish.

In general, most recipes call for 1/4 pound each of carrots, mushrooms, onions, and red pepper flakes.

However, you can adjust the quantity depending on how much heat you would like to put out during your preparation.

Other common additions include garlic, ginger, and cilantro.

For example, if you’re planning on having a spicy dish, you could increase the amount of peppers by half, along with other ingredients like Thai basil and serrano peppers.

On the flip side, if you don’t care for spice at all, then reduce the number of peppers down to 1 teaspoon.

Other items that might help liven up your dish include chicken breast strips, ground beef, shrimp, pork loin chops, and even tofu.

To get a little extra protein, you can always roast some turkey bacon and shred it into the mix.

Another thing worth noting is that most recipes call for white wine vinegar, but you may want to substitute rice vinegar if you’d rather limit sodium intake.

How Long Does It Take To Prepare A Yu Choy Recipe?

As far as timing goes, the average time spent in the kitchen for this recipe depends on how many servings you plan to make.

Most cooks spend between 30 minutes and 40 minutes per serving, although longer times aren’t uncommon either.

Yu Choy Recipe

What Are The Steps Involved In Making A Yu Choy Recipe?

Once you’ve gathered all of your ingredients together, it’s time to start chopping away.

Begin by cutting the cabbage into bite-sized pieces.

After that, slice the onions and mushrooms into thin discs.

Next, chop up the carrots and red pepper flakes.

When you’re finished slicing and dicing your veggies, it’s time to move onto the seasoning process.

First, mince the garlic and ginger until they become smooth and soft.

Then, combine both ingredients in a bowl and coat everything evenly with a dash of soy sauce.

Finally, sprinkle a bit of salt and black pepper over top and let it sit for 10 minutes before proceeding with the next step.

Next, grab two tablespoons of olive oil and pour it onto a pan.

Once the pan is hot enough, place all of the prepared vegetables into the oil and sauté them for 5 to 8 minutes.

Add in 2 tablespoons of water and continue stirring constantly until the mixture is completely dry.

Remove from heat and set aside.

Now let’s talk about preparing the sauce.

Combine all ingredients except the oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and cornstarch in a small pot.

Bring everything to a boil, then simmer for 3 to 4 minutes.

Turn off the stove and allow the mixture to cool.

Now comes the fun part — add the oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and cornstarch and whisk well.

Pour the sauce back into the pot and bring everything to a boil again.

Continue boiling for another 3 to 4 minutes and remove from heat.

Set aside once again.

Finally, return the vegetables to the stove and sautee for 3 to 4 minutes.

Add the sauce to the pan and turn the heat down to medium.

Stir continuously until the vegetables reach desired consistency and texture.

Serve immediately.

Yu Choy Recipe

How Does The Taste Of A Yu Choy Recipe Compare To Other Chinese Dishes?

If you enjoy traditional Chinese cuisine, then you’ll probably love this dish.

While not as spicy as other variations of this staple, the tangy flavors of this dish pair perfectly with the crunchiness of the vegetables.

Plus, it has a lot less fat than other versions of this dish.

That means you won’t feel bloated after eating this particular dish.

What Type Of Meat Or Seafood Pairs Best With A Yu Choy Recipe?

While you can definitely serve this dish with poultry, you can also incorporate some beef, pork, shellfish, and even tofu into your menu plans if you’d like.

Of course, you’ll still have plenty of options with seafood.

Try adding salmon, shrimp, sea bass, squid, mussels, clams, or lobster to your plate.

Just remember that you want to keep the protein portion of your meal low.

Because of this, it’s usually recommended to stick with chicken breasts, boneless skinless chicken thighs, flank steak, or lean cuts of beef.

Avoid fatty meats like pork belly or ribs.

Also avoid anything that’s overly salty or sour.

These items will clash with the natural flavors of the dish.

What Type Of Cooking Oil Is Best For A Yu Choy Recipe?

When it comes to cooking oils, peanut oil is typically used to prepare this dish.

Peanut oil doesn’t contain trans fats and therefore offers fewer negative effects on your body compared to other cooking oils.

However, if you’re concerned about heart disease, then opt for canola oil instead.

Canola oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for lowering cholesterol levels.

What Types Of Spices Are Commonly Used In A Yu Choy Recipe?

Pepper, onion, garlic, ginger, cinnamon, bay leaf, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, star anise, coriander, cumin, turmeric, paprika, and fennel seeds are some of the typical spices you’ll find in a yu choy recipe.

All of these ingredients are important for creating complex flavors in your dish.

They can also enhance the overall quality of the food itself.

Yu Choy Recipe

Yu Choy

A delicious, garlicky vegetable side dish that can go with any meal! It only takes 10 minutes to put together!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: Yu Choy
Servings: 2
Calories: 107kcal

Equipment

  • Pan

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 tsp garlic
  • 4 cups Yu Choy chopped into thirds
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce regular
  • 1 tbsp sherry wine dry
  • ½ tbsp sesame oil

Instructions

  • Add oil and garlic to a hot pan over medium heat. Fry until the oil is fragrant.
  • Add the yu choy and mix it quickly with the garlic and oil.
  • Then pour in the soy sauce and dry sherry wine, and cover with a lid. Cook for another 2 minutes.
  • Season with sesame oil after removing the lid. Enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 107kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 503mg | Potassium: 30mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 0.1IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.3mg
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