A Simple Veggie Stir Fry on Pita Recipe

Using some of the items from today’s food budget, I made a very simple stir-fry variation. The beauty of stir-fry is that you can add a wide variety of ingredients. Standard items are usually mushroom, onion, and garlic in some form. If you want a stir-fry that has more raw ingredients than cooked, use slivers of vegetables cooked no more than 1-2 minutes. You can very easily change a veggie stir fry recipe into a meat dish by adding strips of raw meat at the same time as the onions. I’ve included the approximate cost of most items.

Ingredients and Cost: Makes about 3 servings

• 1-2 tbsp cooking oil (vegetable or canola).
• 1 medium onion, cut into 1/8ths.
• 1 pkg of sliced button mushrooms, $1.47.
• 1/2 large bell pepper, cut into 1/8th inch wide strips of 2-4 inches in length, ~$0.22.
• 1-2 tsp of sambal oelek (chili garlic spice), [optional]
• 1/2 cup snow peas, trimmed and cut into 1/2 inch wide piecs on a bias, $0.17.
• 1 celery stalk, trimmed and cut into 1/4 inch wide slices on a bias, ~$0.10.
• 1/4 cup vegetable stock. (If you eat meat, you can meat, you can substitute with chicken stock.)
• 1 tbsp garam masala or mild curry powder.
• Salt and black pepper, to taste.
• Loose handful of carrot ribbons, ~$0.15 (use a peeler).
• 3 pieces of pita (or other flatbread), ~$1.20
• Total cost: ~$3.31 + other ingredients.
• Total cost per serving: ~$1.10 + other ingredients.

• Heat oil in a non-stick frying pan on high.
• Add onions, reduce heat to med high, and toss for 1 minute. If you are adding meat, do it before reducing the heat, and sautee for 2-3 minutes.
• Add mushroom slices and toss for 2 minutes. If necessary, add a bit more oil.
• Add bell pepper strips and sambal oelek, toss for 2 minutes.
• Add snow peas, toss for 1 minute.
• Add celery, toss for 1 minute.
• Add stock and garam masala (or curry powder). Let simmer until liquid is mostly burned off. Toss a couple of times.
• Add salt, pepper, and carrot ribbons. Turn off heat, and toss a few times. Remove from heat.
• Warm the pita

Presentation:
Spoon the stir fry onto the pita, roll up, and enjoy.

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