Vegetables Oriental
Colorful and nutritious, Vegetables Oriental features crisp vegetables in a savory ginger-sherry sauce, perfect for quick weeknight dinners or healthy family meals.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a 10-inch skillet, combine chicken broth, cornstarch, ground ginger, sugar, dry sherry, and soy sauce.
- Over medium heat, bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
- Add the sliced carrots, pea pods, and broccoli.
- Reduce heat to low.
- Cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.
- Garnish with slivered almonds before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a thicker sauce, increase the cornstarch slightly or mix it with a bit of cold water before adding. Feel free to substitute the vegetables based on seasonal availability; bell peppers, snap peas, or zucchini work well. If you prefer a bit more heat, consider adding red pepper flakes. This dish can also be made vegan by using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this vibrant vegetable dish as a standalone meal or as a side alongside grilled chicken or tofu for a heartier option. It pairs beautifully with recipes like Chinese-Style Chicken Dinner or Valerie's Lemon Chicken. For a complete meal, consider serving it over steamed rice or quinoa to soak up the flavorful broth.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out. Alternatively, you can microwave it in short bursts, stirring in between to ensure even heating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Vegetables Oriental contains roughly 618 calories, with 19g protein, 102g carbohydrates, and 21g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (141% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (83% of the Daily Value), and potassium (44% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 565mg per serving (25% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen vegetables instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen vegetables, but adjust the cooking time as they may require less simmering. Add them directly to the skillet after the sauce comes to a boil, and cook until heated through and tender.
What can I use instead of dry sherry?
If you don't have dry sherry, you can substitute with white wine or a splash of rice vinegar mixed with a bit of water. This will provide a similar acidity and depth of flavor without altering the dish significantly.
How can I make this dish gluten-free?
To make this dish gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari, which is a gluten-free alternative. Always check the labels to ensure that the chicken broth is also gluten-free, as some brands may contain gluten.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).