Have you ever had Watercress before? Chinese Watercress With Garlic Stir Fry is a pretty common dish at my house and one of my faves! It's easy to make, it's tasty and the veggie is high in vitamin A and C. I definitely recommend trying this dish out if you're looking to switch up your usual lunch or dinner menu!
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About Chinese Watercress
Watercress in Chinese is Xi Yang Cai or 西洋菜. Which actually directly translates to "Western Vegetable" (mandarin Chinese).
Why? Because around the 1930s, a Chinese man visited Portugal to do business, when he came back to his home in Guangzhou, he brought some watercress seeds with him. It became popular, often stir fried or cooked in soups. Since it was from a western country, everyone called it "western vegetable". There's also some crazy legend about how that Chinese business man actually fell super ill and nothing cured him until he started eating this veggie... I don't know how much of that is true...
TL;DR version: Because it came from the Western world.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon cooking oil
- 5 cloves of garlic, roughly chopped
- 2 bunches watercress (about 1 lb), trimmed and rinsed
- Salt, as desired
Instructions
You can slice the garlic, but I like to take the cloves and just mash it with a big knife.
Heat oil in a skillet or wok over medium heat.
Add garlic and saute for a minute.
Add watercress and cover for a about a minute.
Uncover, add salt, and cook stirring constantly for about few minutes until it is fully cooked.
Serve!
Looking for more easy stir fry veggie recipes similar to this Chinese Watercress With Garlic Stir Fry? Check out this Stir Fry Cabbage with Sichuan Peppercorn recipe!
Chinese Watercress With Garlic Stir Fry 西洋菜
Chinese Watercress With Garlic Stir Fry is an easy and tasty veggie side dish to make! It is healthy too!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon cooking oil
- 5 cloves of garlic, roughly chopped
- 2 bunches watercress (about 1 lb), trimmed and rinsed
- Salt, as desired
Instructions
You can slice the garlic, but I like to take the cloves and just mash it with a big knife. Heat oil in a skillet or wok over medium heat. Add garlic and saute for a minute. Add watercress and cover for a about a minute. Uncover, add salt, and cook stirring constantly for about few minutes until it is fully cooked.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 70Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 160mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 1g
The nutrition information for this recipe is an approximate total per serving. Please double check the nutrition information for your exact ingredients and brands for more precise nutrition information. Keep in mind that if there is a marinade, often times not all the ingredients will be consumed.
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Ken says
Two bunches of watercress is a meaningless measure. Bunches of watercress are not standard. My bunch and yours could be very different.
TinaTsai says
Thanks - I updated it. Wrote this a long time ago.
Kari - Get Inspired Everyday! says
I love background food history even if some of it might not be true, and this side dish looks so good and easy to make!
Katja says
I've never cooked watercress before. Can't wait to try it.
Vanessa Davis says
What a tasty and simple veggie side dish!
STACEY CRAWFORD says
I've never made watercress before. Looks easy and tasty!
ChihYu says
My type of stir-fry veggies ! YUMMY !
Melissa @Realnutritiousliving says
Watercress is so healthy and I never even considered cooking it! YUM!
Irena says
Love using watercress because it's so nutritious but have never cooked it before. Actually sounds tasty with garlic!
Renee Kohley says
Great dinner side dish! I never think to cook with watercress but this sounds great!
Lindsey Dietz says
I've never had a chance to cook with watercress, but I think it grows wild where I live. I'll have to find some and make this!
Jean says
My mom used to cook with watercress all the time but I never got into it! I definitely need to try it out.
Tessa Simpson says
I love having an idea on how to use watercress!! I know it is in season now, anxious to try!