Simplest Chinese Water Spinach Recipe: Healthy And Tasty
Water Spinach is a super healthy vegetable that is popular not only in China but also worldwide. People eat this vegetable in so many ways. But we Chinese are seriously different in food eating style. We love less spicy foods that give the most health benefits. To help you to eat water spinach in a new way, I am preparing this Chinese water spinach recipe.
This is one of the easiest recipes that I made and shared with you in this blog. It will take only 15 minutes if you have all the ingredients ready. This is also healthy. So, let’s start the recipe now.
Table of Contents
Recipe Table For Water Spinach Recipe
This table I made for you to give an idea about the complete recipe before you start making. It will give you an idea about the recipe time, calories, and many more.
| Course: Side Dish | Cuisine: Chinese | Difficulty: Easy | ||
| Total Time:15 Minutes | ||||
| Serving | Preparation Time | Cooking + Mixing | Calories | |
| 2 Person | 5 Minutes | 10 Minutes | 170 per serving | |
Utensils Needed For Chinese Water Spinach Recipe
I tried many recipes in my short career, but maybe this is the recipe that needs the lowest number of utensils. The list of kitchen items needed are listed here.
- One Frypan
- 3 Bowls
- One Kitchen Net
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients Needed For The Recipe
Now come to ingredients. You need to know what are the items needed for the recipe before you start. Here is the list with the amount.
- Water Spinach: 200g
- Salt: 1 tbsp
- Edible Oil: ½ cup
- Garlic: ½ cup (Chopped Garlic)
- Dried Chili: 5 pcs (Well diced)
- Sesame Seeds: 1 tbsp
- Oil: ½ cup (boiling edible oil)
- Salt: ½ tsp
- Soy Sauce: ⅓ cup
- Vinegar: ⅓ cup (Red wine vinegar)
Step-by-Step Instructions For Chinese Water Spinach Recipe
The Chinese Water Spinach recipe is simple and easy. But that doesn’t mean you can do this without reading every detail carefully. Here is the detailed step-by-step process of the recipe.
Step 1: Prepare the Water Spinach
Begin by washing 200g of water spinach thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris. Then cut the water spinach into bite-sized pieces. I used my nails to break them. Approximately 3-4 inches in length.
Step 2: Blanch the Water Spinach
In a large frypan, bring 750-1000 ml of water and boil it on medium-high heat. Once the water is boiling, add 1 tablespoon of salt and ½ cup of edible oil and mix together until the salt is dissolved.
Now carefully add the chopped water spinach to the boiling water. Blanch the spinach for 1-2 minutes, just until it becomes tender but still vibrant green. Once the spinach is softened, immediately remove it from the boiling water using a kitchen net or slotted spoon and put it in a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process and preserve its bright color.
Step 3: Drain the Water Spinach
After the spinach has cooled in the cold water, drain it thoroughly by placing it in a kitchen net or colander. Gently press down on the spinach to remove excess water. Ensure the spinach is well-drained to prevent the final dish from becoming too watery.
Step 4: Prepare the Sauce
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine ½ cup of chopped garlic, 5 pieces of dried chili (diced into small pieces), and 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds.
Heat ½ cup of edible oil in a small saucepan over medium heat and then pour the hot oil over the garlic, chili, and sesame seeds in the mixing bowl. Add ½ teaspoon of salt, ⅓ cup of soy sauce, and ⅓ cup of red wine vinegar and mix them together. This is like a God Oil.
Step 5: Combine and Serve
Once the water spinach is fully drained, arrange it neatly on a serving plate and then pour the prepared sauce evenly over the spinach, ensuring it coats the leaves and stems well. Now the recipe is ready to serve.
Chinese Water Spinach Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Begin by washing 200g of water spinach thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris. Then cut the water spinach into bite-sized pieces. I used my nails to break them. Approximately 3-4 inches in length.
- In a large frypan, bring 750-1000 ml of water and boil it on medium-high heat. Once the water is boiling, add 1 tablespoon of salt and ½ cup of edible oil and mix together until the salt is dissolved.
- Now carefully add the chopped water spinach to the boiling water. Blanch the spinach for 1-2 minutes, just until it becomes tender but still vibrant green. Once the spinach is softened, immediately remove it from the boiling water using a kitchen net or slotted spoon and put it in a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process and preserve its bright color.
- After the spinach has cooled in the cold water, drain it thoroughly by placing it in a kitchen net or colander. Gently press down on the spinach to remove excess water. Ensure the spinach is well-drained to prevent the final dish from becoming too watery.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine ½ cup of chopped garlic, 5 pieces of dried chili (diced into small pieces), and 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds.
- Heat ½ cup of edible oil in a small saucepan over medium heat and then pour the hot oil over the garlic, chili, and sesame seeds in the mixing bowl. Add ½ teaspoon of salt, ⅓ cup of soy sauce, and ⅓ cup of red wine vinegar and mix them together.
- Once the water spinach is fully drained, arrange it neatly on a serving plate and then pour the prepared sauce evenly over the spinach, ensuring it coats the leaves and stems well. Now the recipe is ready to serve.
Do’s and Don’ts of Chinese Water Spinach Recipe
Many of you know that I avoid too much detail in the main steps of the recipe. That’s why this section is added. Few things you should avoid and follow about this recipe. Here are these listed together.
- While making the sauce, put the hot oil just after the garlic, chili, and sesame. Because it helps to remove the hard flavor of garlic.
- Another thing you must do is thoroughly drain the water spinach after blanching to prevent the dish from becoming watery.
- Don’t overcook the spinach. It can make the spinach soggy and lose its bright green color.
- Avoid overloading with sauce. Too much sauce can overwhelm the natural taste of the water spinach. Add it gradually and taste as you go.
Nutrition Fact Of The Recipe (Per Serving)
Water Spinach is a very healthy element that will help everyone. But there are some ingredients like too much oil create some confusion. So, you must know the nutritional facts of the recipe. Here it is.
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Total Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 800mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 8g
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Sugars: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Vitamin A: 35% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Vitamin C: 40% of the DV
- Calcium: 10% of the DV
- Iron: 15% of the DV
Conclusion
The recipe is end, if you have any questions about the recipe, then you must comment here. I will replay all of your comments. If you know any other recipe using the water spinach then let me know, and I will share that with all of you.
Give this recipe a try, and enjoy a simple yet satisfying dish. If you enjoyed this, be sure to explore my other delicious recipes for more culinary inspiration!
