Stir-frys

• This term is usually associated with Chinese cookery.
• A method of cooking favoured by the Chinese, in which finely chopped ingredients are quickly stirred and tossed in a little oil or lard over high heat.
• Generally, shallow, steel woks are used as the rounded shape distributes the heat evenly and a lot of food can be fried in very little fat.
• Ingredients which take longest to cook are added first and those which require very little cooking time (such as bean shoots) are added last.
• The food must be cut small, and be of uniform size to aid quick, even cooking.
• Food is usually cooked in small batches and stirred continuously which keeps the vegetables bright and crunchy.