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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- Remove from heat and serve it hot, topped with crisp anchovies.
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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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
Simi — haha! thanks a lot 🙂
Simple and beautiful. Love those dried anchovies.
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Red Currant Quark Cheesecake
Angie — thanks friend 🙂
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
Barb — ditto and thank you!
A simple, but refined dish!
Cheers,
Rosa
Rosa — thank you so much!
Interesting styling! I will be posting a vegan fish sauce version later this week 🙂
Rika — I saw that recipe. Yum!
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
Irina — thank you so much! yay for lazy stir-fry days 😀
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
Monica — leafy greens are so easy to prepare and chow!
love bok choy..such a healthy dish..looks yum..lovely presentation
GAYATHRI recently posted..Best Antioxidant Drink / Blueberry Pomegranate Cooler
Gayathri — thank you so much!
I love bok choy, what a tasty dish!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) recently posted..mini blackberry-vanilla cupcakes
Laura — 🙂
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
Anne — thank you so much, friend 🙂
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
Sissi — wow! i’ve never met anyone that is so enthusiastic about anchovies in every shape or form, like myself 😉
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
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 🙂
I want one of these. Right now please.
Cquek — thanks and i wish it was portable 😀
Never tried dried anchovies before. A few ingredients involved for a simply delicious meal!
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ recently posted..My Greek-Style Stuffed Peppers
Daniela — a must try. it’s so delicious 🙂
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
Greg — thank you so so much!!
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
Swathi — thank you!!
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
Mary — thank you! the anchovies that are bottled is processed and these ones are just dried without much processing. Best eaten fresh and crisp 🙂
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
Raymund — as long as it’s anchovies, everything would tastes good 🙂
Delicious looking recipe, looks great.
Hemalata — thank you 🙂
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
John — you need to try it! so good 🙂
So simple and flavorful!!!. Love the dried anchovies!!!
Mr. & Mrs. P recently posted..Nutella Milkshakes
Christy — thank you 🙂
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
Nik — thanks!! adding crispy baby anchovies definitely adds a lot more flavor and texture 🙂
Love all the ingredientes in this awesome, fresh recipe.
Great pictures, everything looks so tempting 🙂
Daniela recently posted..Delicious Express Spreads
Daniela — thank you so much!!
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!
EFS — you need too 😀
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
Monet — thanks my dear. and I hope you are doing well 🙂
Your pictures are just stunning. Love stir fried vegetables.
Ash — thank you so much 🙂
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)
Carolyn — haha! me too! love simple yummy stir-fry’s 🙂
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
Kumar — thank you so much 😀
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!
Shashi — thank you so much. after all, we eat through the eyes first 😉
The plate on 3rd picture is so beautiful.
Marta — thanks so much, friend 🙂
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….
Amy — thanks and ditto about simple stir-fry’s 🙂
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
Nami — your mom is right 😉
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
Gemma — yes, this is definitely baby ikan bilis. good luck!