Why You’ll Love This

If you’re looking for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner, stir-frying is your best friend! This delightful recipe takes humble celery, which often plays a background role, and puts it front and center where it truly shines. Paired with chewy tempeh, crunchy cashews, and a simple yet flavorful stir-fry sauce, this dish delivers a harmonious texture experience in just 20 minutes!

Ingredients for Celery Stir-Fry

• Celery: A fantastic way to use up leftover celery. Include some leaves for added flavor, but taste them first to ensure they’re not bitter.
• Tempeh: This plant-based protein source adds heartiness. Feel free to substitute with chicken or turkey if you’re not vegan.
• Garlic and Ginger: You’ll need pressed or grated garlic for the sauce and sliced garlic for the stir-fry, accompanied by minced ginger for extra zing.
• Yellow Onion: This ingredient brings a savory and aromatic touch to the dish.
• Soy Sauce: If you need a gluten-free option, tamari works perfectly here. It adds just the right amount of saltiness and umami.
• Sherry Vinegar: For that tangy kick; you can also use rice vinegar if you prefer.
• Sesame Oil: This adds richness and a depth of flavor.
• Molasses: For a unique sweet and smoky hint.
• Coconut Sugar: Use brown sugar or maple syrup as alternatives for sweetness.
• Red Pepper Flakes and White Pepper: For a slight kick. You can substitute black pepper if needed, although white pepper brings a distinct brightness.
• Cornstarch: Ideal for thickening the sauce and giving it a luscious glaze.
• Garnishes: Toasted cashews, sesame seeds, and fresh scallions add a lovely touch.

How to Make Celery Stir-Fry

1. Whisk the stir-fry sauce: In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, sherry vinegar, sesame oil, molasses, sugar, garlic, red pepper flakes, white pepper, and cornstarch. Set the mixture aside.
2. Steam the tempeh: Cut or crumble tempeh into pieces and place them in a large skillet. Add a splash of water, bring to a boil, then let it simmer until the water evaporates, approximately 5 minutes. Steaming helps mellow out the tempeh’s pungent flavor and allows it to soak up the sauce later.
3. Pan-fry the tempeh: After the water is absorbed, add a splash of oil and sauté until golden brown and crispy, which should take about 8 minutes. Once done, set it aside.
4. Sauté the aromatics and celery: In the same skillet, start by sautéing onions on medium-high heat for about 3 minutes. Then, add in the sliced celery, ginger, and garlic, stirring for another 2 minutes. The objective here is to keep the celery slightly tender yet still crunchy. Once done, mix in the pan-fried tempeh and pour in the prepared sauce.
5. Combine everything: Stir continuously until the sauce thickens, which takes about 1-2 minutes.
6. Serve: Dish the stir-fry over a bed of fluffy jasmine rice and garnish with toasted cashews.

Variations

• Protein: Swap out tempeh for crispy tofu or chicken for a different flavor profile.
• Veggies: Consider adding in bell peppers, broccoli, snow peas, bok choy, or carrots for an extra nutrient boost.
• Rice: Serve it over jasmine rice, brown rice, or your preferred stir-fry noodles.

Chef’s Tips

• Don’t skip the steaming step: This is key to reducing the tempeh’s bitterness and enhancing its texture and flavor absorption.
• Cook the rice beforehand: To ensure everything comes together seamlessly, prepare your rice first so it’s warm and ready to go.

Storing Celery Stir-Fry

Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

Serving Suggestions

This Celery Stir-Fry is delicious on its own over jasmine rice, but it pairs wonderfully with your favorite side dishes or salads for a balanced meal.

FAQs