Ginisang Pechay with Oyster Sauce
Pechay is a staple ingredient in Filipino cooking, but it’s more often relegated to the supporting role than the star of the show. In this recipe, this lowly vegetable is given the spotlight.
Ginisang Pechay with oyster sauce and ground pork is a simple vegetable dish you’d want on your meal rotation. It’s ready in minutes with easy-to-find ingredients yet turns out full of flavor and good-for-you nutrients.
What is Pechay
Pechay is a type of Chinese cabbage belonging to the Cheninsis cultivar. It has dark green leaf blades and a lighter rounded bottom with a mildly bitter taste.
The leafy vegetable is a common ingredient in Southeast Asian cuisine and is widely used in the Philippines in soups, stews, and stir-fries.
Pechay vs Bok Choy
They’re often regarded as the same vegetable, but there is a slight difference in appearance. The stem of Shanghai bok choy is green and wider while the pechay is white and thinner. They can be used interchangeably in recipes.
How to prepare pechay
Choose pechay with bright green leaves and firm stalks with no signs of wilting or bruising.
Cut about half an inch of the stem and discard.
Wash the leaves and stalks under cold running water or soak in a large bowl of cold water to rid of dirt and grime. Drain well.
Cut the sturdier stalks from the leaves and place in a separate bowl. They’ll be added first to the pot to ensure even cooking.
Quick Tips
This recipe uses ground pork, but you can also use ground beef or chicken. You can also substitute diced pork belly or shrimp for a switch in flavor.
For a vegan version, use fried tofu in place of the pork and vegetarian oyster sauce or soy sauce to season the dish.
Serving suggestions
This stir-fried pechay is delicious and filling as a side dish or main entree. It makes the perfect lunch or dinner combo with hot steaming rice and fried fish.
Storing leftovers
Allow to cool completely and transfer to a container with a tight-fitting lid. Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Reheat in a saucepan over medium heat, adding more water as needed. Or microwave until completely heated through.
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