Easy Veggie Prep


So it turns out that this stuff is quasi poisonous.


When I bought it in Chinatown last week, the veggie guy told me it was called “Chinese Spinach”. With such pretty green and purple colors, I didn’t care that the description was mysteriously vague.


Rather than do the smart thing and look this vegetable up for cooking suggestions etc., I went to my go-to simple veggie prep.


For every cup or so of veg., put one tablespoon of sesame oil into a pan.


Let the oil get hot enough to make a nice sizzle when tested with a sprinkle of water.


Toss the veggies into the hot pan, and keep them moving around for a minute or so.


Pour a few tablespoons of soy sauce over the hot veg and continue to toss until they are tender.


THAT’S IT.


I put a cover on harder vegetables like green beans letting the steam finish them off. ( No fire is needed under the pan)


You can grate garlic or ginger into this, but really it taste better without. You will not believe how good and simple this is.




OK, back to the poison part.


So in preparation for this post, I did my journalistic due diligence and looked up “Chinese Spinach” a.k.a. amaranth. As a recap, I cooked an ate this stuff last week. Here are a few notes from Wikipedia:


“can inhibit the absorption of calcium and zinc”


“should be eaten with caution by people with kidney disorders, gout, or rheumatoid arthritis”


“Reheating cooked greens is often discouraged, particularly for consumption by small children”


BUT IT WAS SO PRETTY.


So, I’m not dead. That’s good.


Try the sesame oil thing, you’ll be glad you did. PEACE OUT


Lab rat at your service. Click here to have Traveling Taste Buds delivered to your email for free.

9 comments:

  1. I am so glad that you aren't dead, I kind of like you. This sounds great but I do enough to my kidneys I think that I will stay away from veggies that will do more ;~)

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  2. Yikes! You had courage to try it, Devon!

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  3. EEEK! You are brave, girl! Glad you're still standing.

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  4. oh my goodness!!! that's crazy! glad you're okay!

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  5. I can see the appeal. Those leafy greens are beautiful. I'm glad you didn't die Into the Wild style.

    I totally would have done the same thing: Make it the way I know, without looking up cooking directions. I probably would never have discovered it was poisonous.

    So glad you're still alive.

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  6. I am thinking that you have a good way of cooking your vegetables. I like the sesame oil and the sizzle.

    I have to believe that the good outweighed the poison on the Chinese spinach. I would not have been able to resist its prettiness either.

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  7. Devon - its been ages since I stopped by and said hello! Hope the summer has been treating you well!

    Hugs!
    Biz

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  8. Hey, just thinking about you... are you doing OK?

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