Veggies Recipe

Prepare vegetables

Wash all vegetables. Cut broccoli into bite-size florets. Peel and slice carrots on a bias about 1/4-inch thick. Core and slice red bell pepper into 1/2-inch strips. Trim snap peas. Slice zucchini into 1/4-inch half-moons. Rinse and drain baby spinach. Set each prepared vegetable in separate bowls to allow staged cooking.

Blanch broccoli and carrots (optional)

Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add broccoli florets and carrot slices and cook 1 to 2 minutes until bright and slightly tender. Immediately transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking. Drain and set aside. This step ensures crisp-tender texture; you can skip if you prefer raw crunch and will stir-fry longer.

In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey (or maple), and sesame oil. In a separate small cup, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of the broth to form a smooth slurry. Pour remaining broth into the sauce bowl and stir to combine. Set sauce and slurry aside.

Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until hot. Add the neutral oil and swirl to coat. Add minced garlic and minced ginger; stir-fry 20–30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.

Add carrots and broccoli first (these take longest). Stir-fry 2 to 3 minutes, tossing constantly so they start to color but remain crisp-tender. Add red bell pepper, snap peas, and zucchini. Continue to stir-fry 2 to 3 more minutes until vegetables are just cooked through but still bright and with bite.

Pour the prepared sauce into the pan and bring to a simmer. Stir the cornstarch slurry once more (it may have settled) and add to the pan. Cook 1 to 2 minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens and coats the vegetables. Add baby spinach and toss for 30–60 seconds until wilted. Taste and season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.

Remove from heat. Sprinkle sliced green onion and toasted sesame seeds over the vegetables. Add chopped cilantro or parsley if desired. Transfer to a serving dish and serve immediately as a side or over rice/noodles for a main.