Fridge Raid Stir Fry Recipes

FRIDGE-RAID STIR-FRY

Steps:

• Trim the tough ends off the broccoli stalks, then halve any thicker stalks. Blanch in a pan of boiling salted water for a few minutes, until just cooked, then remove and toss with the sesame oil. If using eggs, cook in the water for 7 minutes, then remove, cool under running water and peel. Place in a reusable bag with the Worcestershire sauce and twist to seal, letting the sauce stain the eggs.
• Use a fork to scrape down the length of the cucumber, all the way round - this helps the dressing to cling on. Cut at an angle into 1cm slices then, in a bowl, mix with the soy sauce and lime juice. Set aside, turning the cucumber slices occasionally, so they soak up all that lovely flavour.
• Click the lettuce leaves apart, then wash and place in a bowl of cold water so they remain lovely and crisp. Simply drain and spin dry when ready to serve.
• Cook the noodles according to the packet instructions, then drain, refresh and cool under cold running water, and set aside.
• Trim the leek and halve lengthways, wash, then cut into 5cm lengths and finely slice - we're looking for harmony between the size of the veg and the noodles.
• Peel the carrots. Trim and slice the courgettes and carrots lengthways, then cut into batons.
• Put a non-stick frying pan on a medium-high heat. Toast the nuts as it heats up, removing to a pestle and mortar once golden. Bash until crushed and set aside.
• Trim the pork of any sinew, then cut into 1½cm thick rounds. Place in the pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and cook for 5 minutes, or until golden and just cooked through, turning halfway. Turn the heat off and spoon over the hoisin sauce, then pile the broccoli at one side of the pan to warm through.
• Alongside, put a large non-stick frying pan or wok on a medium-high heat with ½ a tablespoon of olive oil.
• Sprinkle half the chopped veg, half the peas and beans, and half the noodles into a pan. Stir-fry over the heat for just a couple of minutes, then divide between serving bowls.
• Portion up some hoisin pork and broccoli, add half an egg to each bowl (if using), with some cucumber and lettuce. Pick over some herb leaves, scatter over some nuts, then drizzle with chilli sauce, to taste. Let two lucky people tuck in, while you rattle out the remaining portions.

FRIDGE-RAID FRIED RICE

Steps:

• Heat half the vegetable oil in a wok or a frying pan over a medium-high heat, and stir-fry the onions, carrots and green beans for 5 mins. Add the peppers, broccoli and chicken, and stir-fry for 3 mins more.
• Tip in the rice and stir-fry for another 4 mins until all the grains of rice have separated. Push the rice and vegetables to the side, then add the remaining vegetable oil to the other. Crack in the egg and scramble briefly before stirring into the veg and chicken mixture.
• Stir in the sesame oil and oyster sauce to coat, then garnish with the spring onions and sesame seeds.

RAID-THE-FRIDGE RICE

Steps:

• Heat a large, non-stick saucepan and tip in the bacon. Fry for a few mins over a medium heat, until the fat has started to come out of the bacon. Add the mushrooms, turn up the heat a little, then fry for another 3-4 mins until the mushrooms are cooked through and golden and the bacon is crisp. Tip onto a heatproof plate and keep warm, either in a low oven or covered with foil.
• In the same pan, heat the oil, then gently fry the onion for 5 mins or until soft. Add the garlic and fry for another min, then tip in the rice. Pour in the stock, stir once and bring to the boil. Turn down to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 mins, until almost all of the liquid has gone. The rice will be a little underdone at this point. Take off the heat, give it a stir and cover with a lid (or a big plate). Leave for 5 mins to finish cooking in its own steam.
• Stir most of the cheese through the rice, then season to taste. Serve in bowls topped with the bacon and mushrooms and the rest of the cheese sprinkled over.