Simple Chinese Snow Peas Stir Fry Recipe

By Rhonda Parkinson

Updated 12/04/17

Snow peas
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Ratings (6)
  • Total: 20 mins
  • Prep: 10 mins
  • Cook: 10 mins
  • Yield: 3 to 4 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
65 Calories
4g Fat
6g Carbs
3g Protein
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Snow peas are one of those vegetables that seem to be popular in almost any country’s cuisine. Chinese people use snow peas in stir-fry dishes very often due to their tender sweetness and fresh, crispy texture.

Apart from the delicious flavor and texture, snow peas are also extremely healthy and are considered a superfood. They are high in fiber, protein, vitamins A and C, healthy fats, iron, potassium, magnesium, folic acid, and antioxidants. These nutritional elements are great for helping our bodies stay healthy to prevent conditions like inflammation, cancers, eye disease, scurvies, and digestive problems.

You can add protein to this simple dish by stirring in 8 to 10 prawns or 6 ounces of waxed pork (see the information below the directions) with the snow peas. If you choose prawns, add 1 teaspoon of rice wine to enhance the flavor.

Ingredients

  • 8 to 10 ounces snow peas
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil (alternatively, use olive or peanut oil)
  • 1 tablespoon garlic (finely chopped)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons low-​sodium soy sauce

Steps to Make It

  1. Rinse the snow peas, trim the ends and string them if necessary.

  2. Heat the oil in a wok or skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the finely chopped garlic. Stir fry briefly until it is aromatic.

  3. Add the snow peas and salt.

  4. Stir fry briefly then add the soy sauce. Stir fry for another minute and serve. (Total stir-frying time for snow peas is about 2 minutes.)

  5. Serve while hot.

All About Waxed Pork

Chinese waxed meat, also known as Chinese New Year pork or Chinese pancetta, is a stronger version of pancetta. It’s delicious, smoky, and salty and great on its own with fried rice or perfect in a stir fry with almost any kind of vegetable. It’s a great meat to steam and goes well with garlic sprouts or leeks. For most Chinese, every time they see or smell waxed pork, they are reminded of Chinese New Year.

Waxed Pork Memories

Liv Wan shares this story about Chinese New Year Pork:

"When I was growing up in Taipei, we would always buy our Chinese New Year Pork from one particular shop. This shop would be closed for 11 months of the year but open for just one month during the Chinese New Year period. Their meat was so delicious and so popular and they sold so much product during this month that they could close for the rest of the year."