STIR-FRIED BROCCOLI IN SWEET AND SOUR PINEAPPLE SAUCE

STIR-FRIED BROCCOLI IN SWEET AND SOUR PINEAPPLE SAUCE

 Fresh broccoli and onion strips stir-fried in sesame oil and garlic till tender-crisp. Combined with sweet and sour pineapple soy sauce seasoned with just a hint of cloves and red cayenne pepper!

Serves 4-5

20 oz. can pineapple chunks, with liquid

¼ c. soy sauce (Kikkoman’s is gluten-free)

¼ c. white vinegar

¼ c. sugar

¼ c. water mixed with 2 T. cornstarch in small cup till dissolved

couple dashes red cayenne pepper

couple dashes ground cloves

salt to taste

3 T. sesame oil, light not dark

2 lg. garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped

1 c. cut onion, 1 x ½ inch strips; cut ends off, peel, stand onion on end, cut onion in half from top to bottom, then cut each half onion from top to bottom into ½ inch wide strips; measure out 1 cup for this dish

1-3/4 to 2 lbs. fresh broccoli, washed and trimmed

3 T. water

salt

raw, hulled sesame seeds

In medium saucepan combine pineapple with liquid, soy sauce, vinegar and sugar. Stir well, then bring to slow boil.

Add water mixed with cornstarch, stirring continuously till thickened.

Add red cayenne pepper, cloves and salt to taste. Stir well, then simmer below boiling for 5 minutes, stirring often. Set aside till ready to use.

Wash and trim broccoli. Cut 1-1/2 inches off from bottom of stalks and discard. Cut remaining stalks crosswise, 3 inches up from bottom of stalks. Take these 3 inch long pieces and cut them lengthwise, from end to end, into 1/2 – 3/4 inch wide strips.

Now cut tops and attached remaining stalks into individual trees—cutting those that are very large in half. Size should not be bite-sized, but 2-3 times that; you will be cutting them on the plate as you eat (but don’t make them too large either).

To stir-fry broccoli: Heat sesame oil in large skillet over high heat. Add garlic and onion and stir-fry for 1 minute.

Add broccoli all at once and stir-fry (gently so you don’t break the buds), for 2 minutes.

Add 3 T. water. Stir, then cover and cook 2 minutes longer.

Remove cover, salt to taste and continue to stir-fry till broccoli becomes tender-crisp, but still remains bright green.

When done, pour sauce over broccoli. Stir, then heat to very hot. Spoon onto large serving platter and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Notes: Serve with a side of steamed white rice.