10-Minute Side Dish: Bok Choy

10 minute side dish, Asian, Low-carb, My Tasteful Life, Paleo, Stir-fry, vegetables
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Bok choy with teriyaki glazed Sea Bass.

Bok choy is a Chinese cabbage that lends itself to being sautéed over high heat. It’s a delicious vegetable that you can find in most grocery stores, and I think it’s a great alternative to my regular green side dishes.

I really love baby bok choy because of its delicate taste and texture. But the regular variety is just as good and easier to find. To prep bok choy, remove the lowest, hardest white part where all the leaves connect. Rinse with water and pat dry. Then slice into 1/2″ strips, including the leaves.

The rest is up to you. The recipe below calls for a quick sauté with ginger, garlic and onion, but you can add it to stir fry or even roast it in the oven. Bok choy works with any protein, so instead of green beans or sugar snap peas, grab some bok choy this week. Try it once, and I’m sure you’ll be adding it to your vegetable rotation.

Ingredients

1 large head of bok choy or 3 heads of baby bok choy IMG_2944

1/2 red onion, sliced

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional – reduce or remove if you don’t like heat)

2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos

1 tablespoon coconut oil or olive oil

1/2 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)

Process

Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat for 30 to 60 seconds. Then stir in the garlic and ginger and cook for another minute. Add onion and cook for another minute. Then add all of the bok choy.

Cook, stirring regularly, for 6 minutes. Turn heat to high, add the soy sauce or coconut aminos, and the red pepper flakes. Continuously stir for another minute. Turn off heat and let sit for a few minutes before serving.

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Summertime Marinades: Soy Spring

Chicken, grilling, Marinade, Paleo, pork, Seafood, Shellfish

The Soy Spring recipe below works with virtually all food. Those strictly adhering to a Paleo diet can easily substitute Coconut Aminos for the soy sauce. However, for me, the amount is so small and it’s used as a marinade so I’m okay with cheating a little bit. IMG_2702

Soy Spring (best with vegetables, chicken, seafood, pork or thick-cut steak)

Ingredients

1 tablespoon of rice wine vinegar (apple cider vinegar can be substituted)

1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce (Coconut Aminos can be substituted)

2 tablespoons sweetener (local honey, agave or raw sugar)

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and grated or finely chopped (1/2 teaspoon of dried ginger can be substituted)

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

Process

Mix ingredients together in a bowl and place your protein into the mixture, and cover with lid or plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least an hour and up to 24 hours. Steak is the only exception, and it should only marinate for 30 minutes. Grill at 425 degrees until cooked through.

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