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A classic Vietnamese side dish featuring crisp, tender water spinach stir-fried with heaps of fragrant garlic. Ready in minutes, this simple and savory green vegetable is a delicious and healthy addition to any meal.
Preparation
Blanch and Shock the Spinach
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A classic Vietnamese side dish featuring crisp, tender water spinach stir-fried with heaps of fragrant garlic. Ready in minutes, this simple and savory green vegetable is a delicious and healthy addition to any meal.
This vietnamese recipe takes 15 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 102.34 calories per serving with 4.11g of protein, it's a beginner-friendly recipe perfect for side or lunch or dinner.
Stir-fry the Aromatics
Finish the Dish
Serve Immediately
For a pungent, savory twist, add 1/2 teaspoon of shrimp paste (mắm tôm or belacan) and sauté it with the garlic until fragrant.
Create a creamy and savory version by mashing 1-2 cubes of fermented bean curd (chao) with a little of its brine and adding it to the sauce mixture.
To make this dish vegan, replace the fish sauce with 1.5 tablespoons of light soy sauce or a vegan fish sauce alternative. A pinch of mushroom seasoning can also enhance the umami flavor.
Water spinach is an excellent source of Vitamin A, crucial for vision and immune function, and Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant. It also provides a good amount of iron, which is essential for preventing anemia.
The high fiber content in water spinach aids in digestion, promotes regular bowel movements, and helps maintain a healthy gut microbiome.
This dish is naturally low in calories and fat, making it a perfect addition to a weight-conscious diet. It's a filling side dish that won't derail your health goals.
Loaded with Vitamin C and other antioxidants, this dish can help strengthen your immune system and protect your body against cellular damage from free radicals.
Yes, it is very healthy. Water spinach is a nutrient-dense leafy green that is low in calories and high in fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and iron. The dish is lightly cooked, which helps retain many of its nutrients.
A typical serving of this stir-fried water spinach contains approximately 80-90 calories, making it a light and healthy side dish.
This usually happens for a few reasons: overcooking, not using high enough heat, or skipping the ice bath. The ice bath is crucial as it shocks the vegetable, stopping the cooking process and locking in the bright green color and crisp texture.
Absolutely. To make a vegan version, simply substitute the fish sauce with an equal amount of light soy sauce or a store-bought vegan fish sauce. You can add a pinch of mushroom seasoning for extra umami.
Water spinach, also known as rau muống, morning glory, or kangkong, is commonly found in Asian supermarkets, particularly those specializing in Southeast Asian produce.
While you can use regular spinach, the result will be very different. The signature feature of this dish is the hollow, crunchy stems of the water spinach. Regular spinach will have a much softer, wilted texture and a different flavor profile.
