Marianne Martinez
Stir-fried lettuce, or Chao Sheng Cài in Mandarin, is a popular dish in China, especially during the Lunar New Year. It is a quick and easy dish to make, and you can use any type of lettuce, although iceberg and romaine lettuce are the most common choices. The lettuce is stir-fried with ingredients like garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil, and can be served as a side dish or a main course. So, yes, you can pan-fry lettuce!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cook time | 10-15 minutes |
| Type of lettuce | Romaine, iceberg |
| Preparation | Trim, cut, wash, and dry |
| Oil | Sesame, walnut, vegetable |
| Seasonings | Soy sauce, sugar, garlic, salt, green onion, ginger, chilli pepper |
| Accompaniments | Rice, noodles, tofu, red pepper |
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What You'll Learn
Lettuce preparation: washing, drying, and cutting
Before pan-frying your lettuce, it's important to prepare it properly. Here's a step-by-step guide to washing, drying, and cutting your lettuce:
Washing
Start by filling a clean sink or a large bowl with cold water. Add the lettuce leaves to the water and agitate them gently with your hands. Let the lettuce sit in the water for a few seconds, then agitate again to loosen any dirt or debris. Finally, lift the lettuce out of the water, allowing the water to drain off. You can use a colander for this step if you're washing a large batch of lettuce.
Drying
The most efficient way to dry lettuce is to use a salad spinner. Place the wet lettuce inside the spinner, spin it vigorously, and then dump out the water that collects at the bottom. Repeat this process until the lettuce is mostly dry and no more water pools at the bottom. If you don't have a salad spinner, you can use a clean tea towel or flour sack towel. Place the lettuce in the centre of the towel, gather up the corners, and spin the towel vigorously, either vertically or over your head. You can also try placing the lettuce on the towel and shaking it back and forth to absorb the water.
Cutting
To cut a head of lettuce, start by laying it on its side and trimming about a quarter-inch off the stem. Carefully peel away any outer leaves that are wilted, bruised, or browned. Then, stand the head of lettuce with the stem side down on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut the head in half lengthwise, creating two halves. From here, you can cut the lettuce into wedges, shreds, or chopped pieces, depending on your preference and the recipe you're following. For wedges, simply cut each half into two or four pieces, depending on the desired size. For shreds, make thin crosswise or lengthwise cuts down the wedge. For chopped pieces, make parallel cuts about one inch apart lengthwise, then turn the lettuce and make perpendicular cuts crosswise.
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Oil selection and heating
Stir-fried lettuce is a tasty, crunchy, and refreshing dish that is popular in China and can be made with a variety of oils. The type of oil you choose for stir-frying lettuce is important as it can affect the flavour and aroma of the dish. Here is a guide to help you select and heat the oil for stir-frying lettuce:
Selecting the Right Oil
When stir-frying lettuce, it is recommended to use oils with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil, salad oil, or other neutral-tasting oils. These oils can withstand the high temperatures required for stir-frying without smoking or burning, which can affect the taste of the dish.
Additionally, roasted or toasted sesame oil is a popular choice for stir-fried lettuce as it adds a nutty aroma and flavour. However, it is important to note that pure sesame oil has a lower smoke point, so it should be added after stir-frying to enhance the flavour of the dish.
Other oils that can be used include walnut oil, which can be a good substitute if you don't have sesame oil on hand.
Heating the Oil
Before adding the oil to the wok or skillet, it is important to ensure that the pan is sufficiently heated. To test if your pan is hot enough, add a small amount of water to the pan. If the water evaporates within one to two seconds, your pan is ready for the oil.
Once the pan is heated, add about one tablespoon of oil to the sides of the pan and swirl to coat the entire surface evenly. You should add enough oil to cover the surface and prevent the ingredients from sticking.
When the oil is hot, it will start to shimmer. This is the ideal time to add ingredients like garlic, tofu, or other aromatics to infuse their flavours into the oil before adding the lettuce.
By following these steps for oil selection and heating, you can create a delicious and refreshing stir-fried lettuce dish with your desired oil and flavour profile.
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Garlic frying
Stir-fried lettuce is a tasty and crunchy dish that can be prepared in under 15 minutes. It is a popular Cantonese dish, often served in Chinese restaurants during the Lunar New Year.
To make stir-fried garlic lettuce, you will need to prepare the lettuce and the garlic.
Preparing the Lettuce:
First, take the head of iceberg or romaine lettuce and firmly hit it on the counter to remove the core. Remove the outer layer and any discolored leaves, then tear the lettuce into large 4-5 inch pieces. Place the lettuce in a large bowl of cold water, stir, and then drain it in a colander. It is important to remove excess water, especially if using iceberg lettuce, to prevent a watery dish.
For the garlic, you can either mince or thinly slice it. Minced garlic is easier to control during the cooking process, but fried garlic slices add a beautiful touch to the dish. Heat a small amount of oil in a wide skillet or saucepan over medium heat. You can use avocado oil or vegetable oil. Add a small piece of garlic to the oil and wait for little bubbles to form around it—this indicates that the oil is ready.
Next, add the garlic to the pan and stir-fry for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, stirring frequently. You want the garlic to turn a pale golden color, as burning it will make it bitter. Once the garlic is lightly browned, transfer it to a colander and then onto paper towels to absorb excess oil.
Finally, add the lettuce to the pan and stir-fry for about 1-2 minutes, until it is just limp and beginning to wilt. You can then add other ingredients, such as soy sauce and a drizzle of sesame oil, stirring to coat the lettuce well.
Your stir-fried garlic lettuce is now ready to be served! This dish is a quick and easy way to transform your lettuce into something unexpectedly special.
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Lettuce frying
Stir-fried lettuce is a tasty, crunchy, and refreshing dish that is popular in Cantonese cuisine and served in many restaurants in China. It is a great way to use up your excess lettuce and can be served as a side dish or a main course for two. Both romaine and iceberg lettuce are great choices for stir-fried lettuce, with the former being a little sturdier and more nutritious.
To prepare the lettuce, start by removing the core and the first outer layer, along with any discolored leaves. Cut the lettuce into 1-inch wide pieces. Wash the lettuce in a large bowl of cold water and then drain it in a colander, shaking to remove excess water. Pat the lettuce dry.
For stir-fried lettuce with soy sauce and sesame oil, heat a wok or medium skillet over medium-high heat for about a minute. Swirl in vegetable oil or another oil of your choice, such as walnut oil. Add garlic and toss in the lettuce in batches, stirring to coat it with oil before adding more lettuce. This should take about 2 minutes, and the lettuce should just begin to wilt. Add soy sauce and sugar, stirring to coat the lettuce well. The dish is ready when the lettuce is almost tender yet still crisp and bright green.
For a more complex dish, you can try stir-fried lettuce with seared tofu and red pepper. Heat a flat-bottomed wok or steel skillet over high heat until a drop of water evaporates within a second or two. Swirl in oil and add tofu, stir-frying until golden brown. Transfer the tofu to a plate and swirl in more oil, along with ginger, garlic, and chili pepper. Stir-fry briefly, then add the red pepper. After stir-frying the pepper for a minute, add the lettuce and sprinkle with salt. Stir-fry for another minute until the lettuce wilts, then add a rice wine mixture and cook until the lettuce is bright and crisp-tender. Remove from the heat and serve with rice or noodles.
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Sauce and seasoning
Stir-fried lettuce is a popular dish in China, especially during the Lunar New Year, and is often served as a side dish. It can be prepared in advance and goes well with just about any main dish. It is also a great way to use up any excess lettuce you may have.
The sauce and seasoning used for stir-fried lettuce can be quite simple. A popular option is to use soy sauce, which can be mixed with sesame oil and sugar. This sauce is then drizzled over the stir-fried lettuce, giving it a glossy appearance and an elegant flavour. The sesame oil is key to the dish, adding a fragrant aroma and a nutty taste. It is important to use roasted or toasted sesame oil, which has a stronger flavour than cold-pressed or blended varieties.
If you don't have sesame oil, walnut oil can be used as an alternative. You can also add toasted sesame seeds to the dish for extra flavour and texture. Some recipes also include garlic, scallions, or green onions, which are stir-fried along with the lettuce to add a savoury element to the dish.
For a more complex sauce, you can add ingredients like ginger, chilli pepper, and rice wine to the soy sauce and sesame oil base. This creates a more flavourful and aromatic sauce that pairs well with the crispness of the stir-fried lettuce.
When seasoning stir-fried lettuce, it is important to taste and adjust the seasoning to your preference. You can also experiment with different types of lettuce, such as romaine or iceberg, to find the variety that best suits your taste and texture preferences.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use any type of lettuce for stir-frying, but popular options include romaine and iceberg lettuce.
First, remove the core by firmly hitting the lettuce on a counter. Then, remove the first outer layer and any discoloured leaves. Tear the lettuce into large pieces, wash it in a bowl of cold water, and drain the excess water. Finally, pat the lettuce dry before stir-frying.
Stir-fried lettuce is often cooked with garlic and soy sauce. It can also be seasoned with sesame oil, sugar, and salt.
