Bok Choy w/ Anchovies

by Kiran on August 9, 2013 · 66 comments

in Chinese, Sides, Stir Fry

Hi friends!

Today, I’m just plain lazy. I’m treating myself to a simple stir fry and calling it a day. Keeping it simple, fresh and no-fuss. After all, it’s leafy greens. Over-cooking it is just as bad as tough and chewy seafood.

Trust me, you don’t want to do that.

Garlicky Bok Choy w/ Anchovies | KiranTarun.com

In Malaysia, leafy greens are generally consumed in a form of stir-fry’s. You’d hardly find others serving fresh salads to their guests even as a side dish. That is considered as non-comforting food to serve to guests. My mom makes the best curries in the world and she always serves it with a side of stir-fry leafy greens.

For the kids in the family, she hardly did any coaxing. Sometimes, all the coaxing can be avoided if leafy greens are flavored and cooked in the right way. My brother used to cringe at the side of fresh raw salads. Lol.

Garlicky Bok Choy w/ Anchovies | KiranTarun.com

I’m sure many are just cringing at “anchovies”. But let me assure you this is different from the bottled or paste anchovies that is commonly used and known for its pungency.

There’s no pungency here. Only deliciousness and crispness.

Garlicky Bok Choy w/ Anchovies | KiranTarun.com

I found this anchovies from an Oriental market. The husband refers to anchovies as little fishies. As cute as that sounds, its way too tasty to ignore. Gather some strength, ignore the cute factor and gobble.

Garlicky Bok Choy w/ Anchovies | KiranTarun.com

Print This Recipe Print This Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 2 tsp garlic, chopped
  • 4 big handfuls of bok choy, chopped
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce (or soy sauce)
  • 3 tbsp dry anchovies

Directions:

  1. Heat a large non-stick wok on medium. Add dry anchovies and toast until lightly browned and crisp, for about 2 minutes by stirring often to avoid burn. Remove to cool.
  2. Heat the same wok on high and add sesame oil. Once oil is heated, add garlic and toss in bok choy. Drizzle fish sauce and stir-fry everything for 1 minute or just when vegetables begin to wilt. Do not overcook.
  3. Remove from heat and serve it hot, topped with crisp anchovies.

 

Garlicky Bok Choy w/ Anchovies | KiranTarun.com

Looking forward to a relaxing and no-fuss cooking weekend. And you should too. Enjoy 🙂

What’s your favorite leafy greens? Have you tried dried anchovies before?

 

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Comments on this entry are closed.

1 simi August 9, 2013 at 1:11 PM

I thought I could never say gorgeous to a plate of bok choy ! you seem to have magic on your fingers
simi recently posted..iPhoneography on the streets of Bangalore and a simple salad

2 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 1:46 PM

Simi — haha! thanks a lot 🙂

3 Angie@Angie's Recipes August 9, 2013 at 1:31 PM

Simple and beautiful. Love those dried anchovies.
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Red Currant Quark Cheesecake

4 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 1:47 PM

Angie — thanks friend 🙂

5 Barbara | Creative Culinary August 9, 2013 at 5:13 PM

You call it a simple stir fry and I call it simply wonderful. Sometimes simple is just perfect for our busy lives.
Barbara | Creative Culinary recently posted..Blue Hawaii – A Place, A Cocktail and A Baby

6 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 1:48 PM

Barb — ditto and thank you!

7 Rosa August 9, 2013 at 5:20 PM

A simple, but refined dish!

Cheers,

Rosa

8 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 1:48 PM

Rosa — thank you so much!

9 rika@veganmiam.com August 9, 2013 at 9:08 PM

Interesting styling! I will be posting a vegan fish sauce version later this week 🙂

10 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 1:49 PM

Rika — I saw that recipe. Yum!

11 Irina @ wandercrush August 9, 2013 at 9:40 PM

Everyone has their “lazy” stir-fry days 🙂 These bok choy are adorable. You did such a good job photographing those little guys!
Irina @ wandercrush recently posted..Mango Millet Peach Pancakes

12 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 2:02 PM

Irina — thank you so much! yay for lazy stir-fry days 😀

13 Monica August 9, 2013 at 11:52 PM

I like lots of leafy greens and bok choy is one I grew up on. I could use a lot of veggies right now after coming home from vacation.
Monica recently posted..Mango-yogurt parfait

14 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 3:17 PM

Monica — leafy greens are so easy to prepare and chow!

15 GAYATHRI August 10, 2013 at 12:23 AM

love bok choy..such a healthy dish..looks yum..lovely presentation
GAYATHRI recently posted..Best Antioxidant Drink / Blueberry Pomegranate Cooler

16 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 3:22 PM

Gayathri — thank you so much!

17 Laura (Tutti Dolci) August 10, 2013 at 1:17 AM

I love bok choy, what a tasty dish!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) recently posted..mini blackberry-vanilla cupcakes

18 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 3:24 PM

Laura — 🙂

19 Anne ~ Uni Homemaker August 10, 2013 at 3:52 AM

This sounds delicious Kiran! I love a good stir-fry. And leafy greens are always delicious in my book.
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker recently posted..Zucchini Ribbon Salad

20 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 3:28 PM

Anne — thank you so much, friend 🙂

21 Sissi August 10, 2013 at 10:01 AM

I think this is the kind of tiny fish I have discovered in Japan. I loved it! I love anchovies in general, fresh or canned ones. I sometimes feel like finishing the whole can just with a piece of bread! Your bok choy and tiny achovies dish looks perfect: simple, fresh and not overcooked 😉 (I hate overcooked mushy vegetables, well maybe apart from aubergine). I would love to see baby bok choy more often here (I usually find only the bigger ones).
Sissi recently posted..Pickled Dill Cucumbers and Pickled Cucumber Salad

22 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 3:32 PM

Sissi — wow! i’ve never met anyone that is so enthusiastic about anchovies in every shape or form, like myself 😉

23 foodwanderings August 10, 2013 at 11:53 AM

Plain lazy looks mighty pretty & yummy too. Love this simple dish and I am back on the stir fry wagon so this is a perfect. I would never think of Bok Choy & dried anchovies, I don’t have…do you think canned would work just the same, without the crunch?
foodwanderings recently posted..Whole Wheat Sourdough Bread

24 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 3:34 PM

Shulie — i think the canned one would work too. Just use a little, mash and fry it with garlic. let me know how it tastes 🙂

25 cquek August 10, 2013 at 1:36 PM

I want one of these. Right now please.

26 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 4:09 PM

Cquek — thanks and i wish it was portable 😀

27 Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ August 10, 2013 at 2:00 PM

Never tried dried anchovies before. A few ingredients involved for a simply delicious meal!
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ recently posted..My Greek-Style Stuffed Peppers

28 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 4:10 PM

Daniela — a must try. it’s so delicious 🙂

29 sippitysup August 10, 2013 at 2:08 PM

You have such an artful way of plating food. I notice that consistently here. GREG
sippitysup recently posted..What to do in Carmel: Holman Ranch

30 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 4:41 PM

Greg — thank you so so much!!

31 Swathi August 10, 2013 at 4:32 PM

Delicious bok choy, you have give an a tasty makeover with little anchovies.
Swathi recently posted..Arisi Vathal/Koozh Vathal/ Fryums / Vadaam / Odiyalu /Sun Dried Rice Fritters

32 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 4:58 PM

Swathi — thank you!!

33 Mary @ Fit and Fed August 11, 2013 at 1:02 AM

I’ve never had dried anchovies and had no idea that the words ‘crisp’ and ‘anchovies’ could go together. But I love the idea of all these savory tastes on the lightly stir-fried bok choy. Simple, healthy, and tempting!
Mary @ Fit and Fed recently posted..Ahi Tuna, Mango and Roasted Corn Salad

34 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 5:49 PM

Mary — thank you! the anchovies that are bottled is processed and these ones are just dried without much processing. Best eaten fresh and crisp 🙂

35 Raymund August 11, 2013 at 4:34 AM

I tried something similar before but its the fermented anchovies, tasted awesome!
Raymund recently posted..Guest Post : JJ from Food Jaunts featuring Hearty Tuscan Salad

36 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 5:53 PM

Raymund — as long as it’s anchovies, everything would tastes good 🙂

37 hemalata August 11, 2013 at 8:47 AM

Delicious looking recipe, looks great.

38 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 6:15 PM

Hemalata — thank you 🙂

39 john@kitchenriffs August 11, 2013 at 1:42 PM

I’ve seen dried anchovies in Asian markets but haven’t tried them – I’ll have to. I love wilted greens! Collards can stand long cooking, but you’re right that most can’t. Really good recipe – thanks.
john@kitchenriffs recently posted..Candied Bacon

40 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 6:24 PM

John — you need to try it! so good 🙂

41 Mr. & Mrs. P August 11, 2013 at 4:11 PM

So simple and flavorful!!!. Love the dried anchovies!!!
Mr. & Mrs. P recently posted..Nutella Milkshakes

42 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 6:42 PM

Christy — thank you 🙂

43 Nik August 11, 2013 at 5:26 PM

This looks very refreshing, Kiran.Though, I’ve stir fried bok choy before, I’ve never tried using anchovies, going to give this a shot!
Nik recently posted..champagne and peach sorbet

44 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 7:20 PM

Nik — thanks!! adding crispy baby anchovies definitely adds a lot more flavor and texture 🙂

45 Daniela August 11, 2013 at 8:47 PM

Love all the ingredientes in this awesome, fresh recipe.
Great pictures, everything looks so tempting 🙂
Daniela recently posted..Delicious Express Spreads

46 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 7:58 PM

Daniela — thank you so much!!

47 easyfoodsmith August 12, 2013 at 8:50 AM

You caught me thinking aloud when you wrote `cringing at anchovies’! 🙂
And also, you have tempted me into trying them 🙂
easyfoodsmith recently posted..DAHI (Home Made YOGURT) & Announcing my FIRST GIVEAWAY!

48 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 8:10 PM

EFS — you need too 😀

49 Monet August 12, 2013 at 11:08 PM

This looks delicious. I LOVE bok choy and I think that this version (with the ever delicious anchovies) looks particularly good. Thank you for sharing. I hope your weekend was lovely and relaxing.
Monet recently posted..Banana, Cherry, and Roasted Cinnamon Bread Pudding

50 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 8:20 PM

Monet — thanks my dear. and I hope you are doing well 🙂

51 Ash-foodfashionparty August 13, 2013 at 12:18 AM

Your pictures are just stunning. Love stir fried vegetables.

52 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 9:17 PM

Ash — thank you so much 🙂

53 Carolyn Chan August 13, 2013 at 3:00 AM

Simple is often the best – and that looks delicious ! Give me that plate and a bowl of rice and I’d be good for a meal 🙂
Carolyn Chan recently posted..Mag’s Wine Kitchen (again)

54 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 9:45 PM

Carolyn — haha! me too! love simple yummy stir-fry’s 🙂

55 Kumar's Kitchen August 13, 2013 at 7:29 AM

oh this looks stunningly good, so fresh with the green bokchoy…
awesome food clicks and a light,delicious combination of ingredients
🙂
Kumar’s Kitchen recently posted..Perfect Sips:Indian Clear Tomato Soup & Delicious Ways To Make It Season Friendly

56 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 10:04 PM

Kumar — thank you so much 😀

57 Shashi @ http://runninsrilankan.com August 13, 2013 at 8:54 AM

Kiran – these photos are gorgeous – what a simple yet elegant recipe! Yup – i would definitely eat bok choy if it looked like this 🙂
Shashi @ http://runninsrilankan.com recently posted..Chocolate Covered, Oreo Stuffed, Peanut Butter Cookies!

58 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 10:47 PM

Shashi — thank you so much. after all, we eat through the eyes first 😉

59 Marta@What should I eat for breakfast today August 13, 2013 at 4:58 PM

The plate on 3rd picture is so beautiful.

60 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 11:38 PM

Marta — thanks so much, friend 🙂

61 Amy Tong August 13, 2013 at 10:56 PM

Your boy choy with anchovies is simple and lovely. Totally perfect for a lazy summer day. 🙂 I love stir fry cos it’s done in minutes.
Amy Tong recently posted..What We Did This Summer….

62 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 11:43 PM

Amy — thanks and ditto about simple stir-fry’s 🙂

63 Nami | Just One Cookbook August 16, 2013 at 12:18 AM

I love anchovies and my mom always encourage me to eat it for calcium intake. I love to try this dish! Healthy and delicious!
Nami | Just One Cookbook recently posted..Somen そうめん

64 Kiran August 18, 2013 at 11:46 PM

Nami — your mom is right 😉

65 Gemma @andgeesaid August 21, 2013 at 6:51 AM

I must find some of those anchovies!!! I don’t know if they have them here, I’ve only ever seen them soaking in oil! These are more ‘ikan bilis’-ish!
Gemma @andgeesaid recently posted..Fortune Cookie Red Velvet Cupcakes

66 Kiran August 23, 2013 at 8:38 AM

Gemma — yes, this is definitely baby ikan bilis. good luck!

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