Best 7 Watercress Stir Fry Recipes

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Are you looking for a healthy and delicious way to prepare watercress? Look no further than watercress stir-fry! This versatile dish is packed with nutrients and can be easily tailored to your liking, making it a perfect option for any occasion. Whether you're a vegetarian or a meat-lover, there's a watercress stir-fry recipe out there for you. So get ready to tantalize your taste buds with this flavorful and nutritious dish!

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

CHINESE WATERCRESS WITH GARLIC STIR FRY 西洋菜



Chinese Watercress With Garlic Stir Fry 西洋菜 image

Provided by © Oh Snap! Let's Eat!

Number Of Ingredients 4

2 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves of garlic
2 bunches watercress, trimmed and rinsed
Salt, as desired

Steps:

  • You can slice the garlic, but I like to take the cloves and just mash it with a big knife. Heat oil in a skillet or wok over medium heat. Add garlic and saute for a minute. Add watercress and cover for a about a minute. Uncover, add salt, and cook stirring constantly for about few minutes until it is fully cooked.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 66 calories, Carbohydrate 1 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 0 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 7 grams fat, Fiber 0 grams fiber, Protein 1 grams protein, SaturatedFat 1 grams saturated fat, ServingSize 1, Sodium 155 milligrams sodium, Sugar 0 grams sugar, TransFat 0 grams trans fat, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams unsaturated fat

STIR-FRIED WATERCRESS: A HEALTHY LEAFY GREEN VEGETABLE



Stir-fried Watercress: A Healthy Leafy Green Vegetable image

Watercress (西洋菜,sai yeung choi in Cantonese or xī yáng cài in Mandarin), is a super healthy vegetable often overlooked at the market because people don't know how to prepare it. Making this stir-fried watercress at home is an easy, delicious, and healthy way to change up the vegetables on your dinner table.

Provided by Bill

Categories     Vegetables

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
1 teaspoon fresh ginger ((finely julienned))
3 cloves garlic ((finely minced))
2 bunches watercress ((about 1 pound/450g, washed thoroughly))
⅛ teaspoon white pepper
⅛ teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon sesame oil
¼ teaspoon MSG ((VERY optional!))

Steps:

  • Place your wok over medium high heat, and add the oil, spreading it around to coat the surface of the wok.
  • Add the ginger, letting it caramelize and infuse the oil. Take care not to let it burn. Add the minced garlic, and give it a stir. Immediately add the watercress (if you wait too long, your garlic could burn). Turn the heat up to high.
  • Stir-fry the watercress for 20 seconds to evenly distribute the ginger, garlic and oil. Once mixed, move all of the watercress to the center of the wok in a small pile, and cover the wok.
  • After 45 seconds, uncover the wok. There should be plenty of steam at this point. Use a circular stirring motion to drag the pile of watercress and some of the liquid around the sides of the superheated wok. Stirring the watercress against the hottest and driest part of the wok will generate that wok hay flavor. Gather the watercress back in the middle of the wok. To give you an idea of the cooking time, this step should take no more than 20 seconds.
  • While you wait for the sides of the wok to reheat, add the white pepper, sugar, salt, sesame oil and MSG, if using. (A quick note on the spices: we list MSG as optional because many people shy away from it, but it's a tasty addition to leafy green vegetables that really gives you that restaurant flavor. Use it per your own tastes and perspectives!)
  • Stir-fry the mixture again to mix in the seasonings, once more stirring the watercress and the liquid so it hits the sides of the wok to generate more wok hay.
  • Use your wok spatula to scoop the watercress onto a shallow rimmed bowl, making sure to get the remaining liquid, as it's super-infused with garlic, ginger, and those vitamins from the watercress. Serve as a side dish or just with some white rice as a super light vegan meal.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 117 kcal, Carbohydrate 2 g, Protein 3 g, Fat 12 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, Sodium 338 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, ServingSize 1 serving

WATERCRESS STIR-FRY



Watercress Stir-Fry image

Delicate watercress often gets the salad or garnish treatment, but it offers far more than just a sprinkle of peppery flavor. Harness its nutritional power in this energizing stir-fry, where ginger, garlic, and sesame oil impart bold flavor and the watercress brings antioxidants and calcium.

Provided by Greg Lofts

Categories     Food & Cooking     Healthy Recipes     Vegan Recipes

Time 15m

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 bunches watercress, thick stems removed
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish

Steps:

  • Heat a wok or cast-iron skillet over high. When wisps of smoke rise, swirl in vegetable oil. Add minced ginger and minced garlic and cook until sizzling, 15 seconds.
  • Add watercress; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until greens collapse, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and toss with sesame oil. Serve watercress topped with toasted sesame seeds.

FLANK STEAK WITH STIR FRIED WATERCRESS



Flank Steak with Stir Fried Watercress image

Flank steak is simply broiled and served with a quick stir-fry of watercresss with ginger, garlic and oyster sauce.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 35m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 8

One 1 1/2 pound flank steak
4 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon peeled and minced fresh ginger
1 pound watercress, woodiest stems trimmed
1/4 cup oyster sauce
[For Serving:] Jasmine, sticky or plain white rice (optional)

Steps:

  • Position an oven rack 5 -to -6 inches from the broiler unit, and preheat the broiler. Line a broiler pan or baking sheet with foil, and set the broiler insert on top of the broiler pan if using. Put the pan on the oven rack, and preheat until hot, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir together 2 tablespoons oil, 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a small bowl. Rub the mixture on both sides of the steak. Put the steak on the preheated pan and broil (without flipping) until nicely browned and firm, with some give when pressed in the thickest part, 6 to 8 minutes for medium-rare. Let the steak rest for 10 minutes.
  • While the steak cooks and rests preheat a wok over high heat for 10 minutes. Have 2 tablespoons of cold water in a small bowl next to the wok. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil to the wok, and just as it starts to smoke, add the garlic and ginger. Cook, stirring constantly, for a few seconds until they start to brown, and then immediately add the water. Add the watercress and cook, tossing just until it starts to wilt, about 1 minute. Add the oyster sauce and toss to coat. Remove from the heat and toss for another 30 seconds or so, until the watercress is completely wilted (the stems should be bright green and the leaves darker but not black).
  • Thinly slice the steak against the grain and serve with the watercress and rice if using.

WATERCRESS STIR-FRY RECIPE



Watercress Stir-fry Recipe image

Quick stir-fry watercress with garlic and dried pepper. Ready 15 minutes! Healthy veggie stir-fry recipe.

Provided by Elaine

Categories     Side Dish

Time 14m

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 bunch watercress ( , around 8 oz.)
2 garlic cloves
3 dried chili pepper
1/2 tablespoon peanut oil
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons water
2 teaspoons cornstarch

Steps:

  • Wash the watercress carefully; remove the withered and yellow and also the old stems.
  • Cut watercress finely into small pieces. Set aside and drain.
  • Cut chili pepper into sections and slice the garlic cloves.
  • In a small bowl, add cornstarch, water and salt. Mix well to make the stir-fry sauce.
  • Heat up peanut oil in wok, add chili pepper and garlic slices to stir-fry until aroma.
  • Add watercress in. Do a quick stir-fry until the watercress is half-cooked.
  • Pour the sit-fry sauce in and quick fry again for around 1 minute.
  • Transfer out and serve hot!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 74 kcal, Carbohydrate 8 g, Protein 3 g, Fat 3 g, Sodium 1215 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 2 g, ServingSize 1 serving

WILTED WATERCRESS WITH GARLIC



Wilted Watercress with Garlic image

Provided by Andrea Reusing

Categories     Wok     Garlic     Side     Stir-Fry     Low Carb     Low Cal     Dinner     Lunar New Year     Healthy     Watercress     Gourmet     Sugar Conscious     Dairy Free     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher

Yield Makes 8 (side dish) servings

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 tablespoon corn oil
12 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
4 bunches watercress (about 20 ounces), trimmed (about 12 packed cups)
1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup chicken stock or reduced-sodium broth

Steps:

  • Heat a dry 12-inch heavy skillet or wok (not nonstick) over medium heat until hot. Add oil, then garlic, and cook, tossing constantly, until garlic is deep golden. Add watercress and salt, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook, tossing constantly, 45 seconds. Add stock and toss again, then cook, covered, until stems are crisp-tender and leaves are just wilted, about 20 seconds.
  • Serve with garlic cloves arranged on top.

WATERCRESS & CHICKEN STIR-FRY



Watercress & chicken stir-fry image

Make your own easy stir-fry sauce at home with storecupboard ingredients and combine with chicken, veg and cashews for a filling dinner.

Provided by Barney Desmazery

Categories     Buffet, Dinner, Main course, Side dish, Snack, Supper

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 tbsp sunflower oil
2 skinless and boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips
100g cashew nuts
1 red or yellow pepper, deseeded and chopped into large chunks
1 red onion, chopped into large chunks
2 x 75g bags watercress
cooked rice, to serve (optional)
3 tbsp hoisin sauce
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 large knob of fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tbsp sesame oil
2 tbsp rice vinegar or white wine vinegar

Steps:

  • To make the sauce, mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl until completely blended. Heat the oil in a frying pan until very hot. Throw in the chicken, cashew nuts, pepper and onion, then stir-fry for about 4-5 mins until the chicken is cooked and the nuts are toasted. Pour over the sauce and simmer with a splash of water. Remove the pan from the heat, then stir through the watercress just before serving with boiled rice.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 323 calories, Fat 19 grams fat, SaturatedFat 2 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 15 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 10 grams sugar, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 24 grams protein, Sodium 1.92 milligram of sodium

Tips:

  • Choose fresh watercress: Look for watercress that is deep green in color, with crisp stems and leaves. Avoid any watercress that is wilted or yellowed.
  • Wash watercress thoroughly: Before using watercress, rinse it thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or debris.
  • Remove tough stems: Before cooking watercress, remove any tough stems. This will make the watercress more tender and easier to eat.
  • Cook watercress briefly: Watercress cooks very quickly, so it is important to cook it briefly to preserve its flavor and nutrients. Stir-frying is a great way to cook watercress, as it allows you to cook it quickly and evenly.
  • Add watercress at the end of cooking: If you are adding watercress to a soup or stew, add it at the end of cooking so that it does not overcook.
  • Use watercress as a garnish: Watercress can also be used as a garnish for a variety of dishes. It adds a fresh, peppery flavor and a pop of color.

Conclusion:

Watercress is a versatile and delicious leafy green that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is a good source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as minerals like calcium, iron, and potassium. Watercress can be eaten raw or cooked, and it is a great addition to salads, soups, stews, and stir-fries. Its unique peppery flavor makes it a great way to add a bit of zest to your favorite recipes.

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