Wok-fried pea shoots show us how a brief fling in the wok with a little garlic and sesame oil is all that’s needed to coax delicate pea shoots to tender, aromatic perfection.
A brief fling in the wok is the perfect technique for cooking delicate pea shoots (sometimes called pea vines). Available at farmers markets and Asian markets (under the name dou miao at the latter), pea shoots should include a top pair of small leaves at the tip, delicate tendrils attached to the young stem, and a few larger leaves or blossoms. Select bright green, undamaged shoots. Pea shoots are often confused with pea sprouts, the whole baby pea plant. However, shoots and sprouts can be used interchangeably. Serve with a meat dish and freshly steamed rice. Originally published December 1, 2009.–Patricia Tanumihardja
LC Greens Galore Note
Author Pat Tanumihardja notes in her book that “this cooking method can be used for many vegetables, from bok choy to tatsoi to Chinese flowering cabbage (choy sum). For vegetables with thicker stems or ribs, separate the leaves and stems and add the stems first as they require a longer cooking time.” Okay, then. Sautéed greens all year round it is!
Wok-Fried Pea Shoots
Ingredients
- 1 pound pea shoots, rinsed and drained well
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (1 tablespoon)
- 1/4 cup chicken stock, preferably homemade, or water
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce or fish sauce
- Sesame oil, for drizzling (optional)
Directions
- 1. Trim the ends of the pea shoots as well as any tough stems.
- 2. Heat a large wok or skillet over medium heat. Swirl in the oil and heat until it starts to shimmer. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 15 to 30 seconds. Increase the heat to high, throw in the pea shoots, and toss to coat evenly with the oil and garlic and keep tossing until the leaves are just barely wilted, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes.
- 3. Add the stock and soy sauce and toss until the liquid has reduced to a few tablespoons and the shoots are tender and bright green, another 1 to 2 minutes. Drizzle with sesame oil and serve immediately.
HUNGRY FOR MORE? CHOW DOWN ON THESE:
If you make this recipe, snap a photo and hashtag it #LeitesCulinaria. We'd love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Maybe I’m just antsy for spring, but when I saw pea shoots at an upscale Italian market this afternoon (nope! neither a farmers nor an Asian market!), my heart sang! Feels like springtime in January! Pro tip: I’m serving to non-chicken and non-fish eaters so it’s water and soy sauce for us, though I might sub out the water for a vegetable stock. Though it’s suggested to serve with a meat dish and steamed rice, I think the bright cheerful green of the shoots would be excellent with the Glazed Tofu and steamed rice.
Marvelous, Elsa! And you never know where you’ll happen upon shoots. (And I suspect I know which upscale Italian market you found these in.) Glad you snatched them up!