1cup Bell PeppersI used Red, Yellow, Green, Purple - all ¼ cup each
1 Onionmedium
½teaspoonWhite pepper powder
½teaspoonSalt
2tablespoonSesame oil
1teaspoonGarlicchopped
½inchGingergrated
1Serrano pepperopt.
(B) Ingredients for Hot and Sour Vegetables:
½cupBell Peppers
1Onionsmedium, Cubed
¼cupBaby Cornchopped into thick juilennes
¼cupBroccoli florets
1AsparagusCut lengthwise,optional
½tablespoonSoya SauceI used Low Sodium
2tablespoonOil
½teaspoonTomato Puree
½teaspoonWhite Pepper Powder
1teaspoonBrown Sugar
2teaspoonRice Flour
3tablespoonWarm water
2cupsHomemade Vegetable Stock
¼teaspoonSaltmind you, the sauces contain salt, so add in moderation
½teaspoonRed chilli sauce
½teaspoonGinger
2pods Garlicminced
Instructions
Prep Work:
Wash and soak the rice for 15 mins. Drain. Cook till fluffy and separate the grains and keep aside. Cool throughly.
Alternately, you can use previously cooked and cooled rice also in this recipe !
Chop the baby corn, broccoli, asparagus and blanch in slightly salted water for 3-4 mins. Transfer to a bowl of ice and let them remain there, Drain after 4-5 mins.
How to prepare the Hot & Sour Veggies:
Heat oil, sauté the onions, ginger and garlic. Add the peppers and sauté for 3 mins till they turn crunchy.
Now add the blanched and drained veggies and sauté once more for 2 mins.
Add the sauces, salt, tomato puree and toss once.
Tip in the vegetable stock and let the veggies cook till done, but not mushy – about 7-8 mins.
Dissolve the rice flour in warm water and add to the gravy.
Now add the brown sugar and white pepper powder . Adjust spice and serve with 3-pepper rice (recipe below)
How to make the 3-pepper rice:
In a large wok, heat oil. Saute ginger and garlic , onions and chopped peppers, add the slit Serrano peppers, salt, and sauté till onions turn translucent (about 5-7 mins on medium flame). Now add the white pepper powder, cooked rice.
Toss once taking care not to break the grains.
Adjust salt and spice.
Serve immediately with the Hot and Sour Vegetables for a yummy vegetarian and Vegan Chinese Combo Meal.
This dish contains no added MSG or thickening agents. In fact I substituted cornflour with homemade rice flour, and it worked well.
Use any combo of veggies for the Hot and Sour Gravy. As I had a medley of Capsicum and other veggies, I used them aplenty.
The 3-pepper Rice is a combo of Serrano peppers, bell peppers and white pepper powder. Adjust spice accordingly.
To add some protein, Sauteed Tofu / Panner / Chicken all work.
You can omit the Soya Sauce if you want it SOy-Free.
Notes
Tips and Tricks to make a great Combo Meal !
This dish contains no added MSG or thickening agents. In fact I substituted cornflour with homemade rice flour, and it worked well.
Use any combo of veggies for the Hot and Sour Gravy. As I had a medley of Capsicum and other veggies, I used them aplenty. Baby Corn, Mushroom, Bokchoy, Broccoli - all work well
The 3-pepper Rice is a combo of Serrano peppers, bell peppers and white pepper powder. Adjust spice accordingly.
To add some protein, Sauteed Tofu / Panner / Chicken all work.
You can omit the Soya Sauce if you want it Soy-Free.