652576 Tue Sep 15 12:52:59 -0700 2009 6 31 Home Cooking 0 5032047 Hey guys...there are a lot of techniques I am really familiar and comfortable...stir frying is NOT one of them :-) So I bought a wok I am just trying to expand my repertoire a little bit...any good tips or tricks for total novice wokkers? Thanks! Tue Sep 15 12:53:00 -0700 2009 13085 OCElizabeth 1 5032086 I havent stir fried in awhile, kinda did it too much for awhile and got burned out on it. Buy a high quality peanut oil for frying, it has a higher smoke temp than other oils. I assume you have a high quality wok, and the only other thing is to cook at very high heat for a short amount of time, it is a very active process... Tue Sep 15 13:06:39 -0700 2009 5032047 202497 MattInNJ 1 5032090 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mise en place and cook foods in small batches... then bring them all together in the wok for the finale. Have Fun & Enjoy! Tue Sep 15 13:07:07 -0700 2009 5032047 65057 Uncle Bob 1 5032098 these threads should help a little with method/process: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/487304 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/372146 http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/285943 and if you search the board for "Stir Fry" you'll pull up tons of threads with recipes. Tue Sep 15 13:10:02 -0700 2009 5032047 103920 goodhealthgourmet 1 5032116 get the pan HOT After that, you need sesame oil, oyster sauce, and then it's up to you to create what you like. Chili garlic sauce is also a staple for me. It helps to have uniformly cut veggies, and have all your ingredients ready to go, OR be nimble with a knife and know what order you'd like to add your stuff in. I'm usually doing this: 1. Get the rice cooker going 2. Figure out what the heck veggies I have, and chopping them how I want. 3. Slicing meat how I want, and possibly marinating it. 4. Turning on the wok on my highest burner up all the way 5. Getting out all sauces I wanna use 6. in to the wok goes the meat for a quick sear, high heat, then it's removed. 7. Next in go the veggies. Usually mushrooms first, by themselves. I will remove mushrooms when they are fully seared. Then goes in the other veggies according to cook time. If I'm doing broccoli, I'll steam it in the microwave for a few seconds. Just nuke them in a plastic baggie. Instant steamer. When the last veggies are in the wok, I'll start to create whatever sauce I'd care to frankenstein together. I do this in the bottom of the wok by spreading the veggies around to the sides. Usually sesame oil, garlic, ginger, chili garlic sauce, oyster sauce, lower sodium soy or mushroom soy or ponzu, hot chili oil, bean paste, xiou xing wine, lime juice, and get that sizzling away. Then add in the meat and mushrooms. Depending on how you slice the meat will dictate how long you cook it. Keep that into consideration for yor veggies. You want the meat pretty thin so you don't wind up with mushy veggies. Stir fry is easy. You just have to have your ducks in a row before you start. Tue Sep 15 13:16:03 -0700 2009 5032047 111530 gordeaux 1 5032281 only need 2 tips 1. screaming hot work 2. don't overcrowd the pan Tue Sep 15 14:14:06 -0700 2009 5032047 153975 bw2082 1 5032895 my own 2 cents: Make sure everything is pretty dry, especially the meat, and especially if you marinated the meat. If the meat is still really moist from the marinade it will steam and get tough instead of browning. Similarly if you are using brocolli and want to steam it, brown it first, then add some water to create the steam -- I prefer that rather than steaming first. If using garlic and/or ginger, mince them up and mix them with a little bit of oil. After the veggies are mostly done, make a little spot in the center of the wok, add the garlic/ginger, mash it up a little bit, and cook for 30 sec or so, then mix it back in with the veggies. (I learned this trick from Cooks Illustrated, but I'm guessing they didn't invent it.) Tue Sep 15 18:48:40 -0700 2009 5032047 114915 lvsnyder