Sweet & Spicy Stir-fry...

...is a favorite at our dinner table! Here's the nitty-gritty on how I make it for four (which is me, the D, and leftovers):

Sauce:
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
Dash of garlic powder or fresh minced, if desired
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste

Stir-fry:
Any combination of chopped vegetables to equal 2 cups (I prefer broccoli, julienned carrot and bell pepper, and if I've got it, cauliflower)
3/4 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast or boneless pork chops - cut into thinly sliced strips (1/4" - 1/2") or a 1/2-inch cube
1 tbsp. cornstarch or arrowroot powder
2-3 tbsp. warm water

To make the sauce, mix together the brown sugar and soy sauce. Add in garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, to taste. Heat the sauce, either on the cooktop or in the microwave, until sugar has dissolved. Set aside while you prep the stir-fry. Before heating your wok (or large skillet) make sure the stir-fry ingredients are chopped and ready to go. Heat oil -- I typically don't use much (about 2 tsp.) and it's almost always olive. Saute the vegetables until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from the pan and heat an additional 2-3 tsp. oil. Add pork or chicken and saute, stirring frequently, until browned and mostly cooked through, about 6 minutes. Add vegetables back in and stir in sauce; reduce heat to medium and cook until sauce is heated through and slightly thickened. If the sauce does not get as thick as you would like with cook time alone, stir together the cornstarch or arrowroot powder with warm water, pour into the pan, and bring to a boil. Serve over steamed white rice.

For this recipe, I prefer pork --- beef is good, too, and while chicken is economical, it's not our first choice. The arrowroot powder yields a "clearer" sauce, but certainly isn't necessary. I've been known to double the sauce just because we like things, well, saucy and I don't usually measure the vegetables and such. Since it's a quick-to-make sauce, I sort of eyeball things as the meat and vegetables cook down and make more as needed.

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Contributed to...
Park City Girl's Family Dinner Swap - November 2009
Simply Modern Mom's Over-Used Recipe Swap - March 2010