Bok choy is one of those vegetables that sounds really exotic, like something you’d pick up in the Asian foods aisle of a higher-end grocery store. But truth be told, bok choy is just a fancy name for cabbage from China. Grown mostly in China (although it’s also grown in California and parts of Canada), boy choy has been used heavily Chinese cuisine for centuries. And with Chinese food’s popularity spanning the globe, bok choy has seen an increase in fans too.
It also doesn’t help that bok choy is really healthy. High in Vitamins A, C, and K, bok choy is also low in calories and provides a good source of iron and protein.
How to Cook Bok Choy
Bok choy can be prepared in a number of ways – as a side dish by itself, or prepared as part of another dish. It’s even delicious in soup. But, for this post, we’re going to focus on how to cook bok choy by itself. Once you get that down pat, you can start to experiment with flavors and using bok choy as an ingredient in other dishes.
Before starting any of these, however, you should always thoroughly wash bok choy, and cut off the stems at their base. Once that’s done, you’re ready to start cooking.
How to Saute Bok Choy
Chop bok choy into 2-inch strips. Heat a Tablespoon of olive oil over medium high heat in a skillet. Once it’s hot, add a teaspoon of diced garlic. Cook the garlic, moving it around frequently so that it doesn’t burn, until it’s golden brown. Add bok choy to the skillet and toss quickly for about 20 seconds, making sure to evenly coat with the oil and garlic mixture. Pour in 3 Tablespoons of water, cover the skillet, and let it cook for an additional minute. Take it off the heat, plate it, and serve warm.
How to Roast Bok Choy
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut bok choy into 2 inch stalks. In a large bowl, mix 4 teaspoons of olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon of powdered ginger,3 cloves of diced garlic. Toss bok choy until it’s covered evenly in the mixture. Place bok choy on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or until the thick ends of the bok choy is tender.
How to Steam Bok Choy
Chop bok choy into 2 inch sections. Place bok choy in a steaming basket over water that is simmering. Steam for 6-7 minutes, or until the denser sections of the bok choy are tender. Drizzle with soy sauce and sesame oil.
Do you have a favorite method of cooking bok choy? Let us know in the comments!
