Stir-Fried Garlicky Snow Pea Shoots

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This recipe from cookbook author Grace Young is a delicious example of a "clear" stir-fry that uses very few ingredients, focusing on a pure translation of simple flavors. Sweet, tender snow pea shoots shine through mellow garlic, while white pepper perfumes the dish with its mild heat and fragrant floral notes. If using a skillet, cook the pea shoots in two batches to avoid crowding the pan.

By
Grace Young
Grace Young

Grace Young, known as the Wok Therapist, is a food writer highly regarded for her expertise in Chinese cooking and as a culinary historian and Chinatown activist. She has published three award-winning cookbooks focused on Chinese-American cuisine: The Wisdom of the Chinese Kitchen (1999), The Breath of a Wok (2004), and Stir-Frying to the Sky’s Edge (2010).

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Updated on August 2, 2023
Tested by
Food & Wine Test Kitchen
Tested by Food & Wine Test Kitchen
Recipes published by Food & Wine are rigorously tested by the culinary professionals at the Dotdash Meredith Food Studios in order to empower home cooks to enjoy being in the kitchen and preparing meals they will love. Our expert culinary team tests and retests each recipe using equipment and ingredients found in home kitchens to ensure that every recipe is delicious and works for cooks at home every single time.
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Stir-Fried Garlicky Snow Pea Shoots
Photo: Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Torie Cox / Prop Styling by Missie Neville Crawford
Active Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
10 mins
Servings:
8
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 1 pound fresh snow pea shoots (about 14 packed cups) or spinach

  • ½ teaspoon 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • ¼ teaspoon granulated sugar

  • ⅛ teaspoon ground white pepper

  • 2 tablespoons peanut oil or vegetable oil

  • 4 medium garlic cloves, smashed

  • 1 teaspoon thinly sliced unseeded red jalapeño

Directions

  1. Wash pea shoots in several changes of cold water; dry greens thoroughly by hand or in a salad spinner. Stir together salt, sugar, and white pepper in a small bowl; set aside.

  2. Heat a 14-inch flat-bottomed wok or 12-inch skillet over high until a drop of water evaporates within 1 to 2 seconds of contact. Swirl in oil. Add garlic and jalapeño; cook, making quick scooping motions with a metal spatula, constantly tossing and tumbling (stir-frying) mixture until it is fragrant, about 10 seconds. Add pea shoots; cook, stir-frying constantly, until pea shoots just begin to wilt, about 30 seconds. Sprinkle with salt mixture; cook, stir-frying constantly, until pea shoots are just wilted but still bright green and stems are crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes.

Note

Find snow pea shoots at Chinese grocery stores and farmers markets.

Originally appeared: May 2021

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