Stir-frys are always a great choice for simple and healthy meals that come together in minutes.

In fact, usually the rice takes longer to make than the stir-fry itself. If you are short on time, consider trying frozen brown rice or instant brown rice. (You can also make your own brown rice in large batches and then freeze for later use).

Then gather up all of the vegetables you have, along with some protein and have a flavorful dinner on the table in minutes!

(Beef & Basil Stir-Fry from Mark Bittman’s How to Cook Everything)

Stir-Fry Tips and Steps: 

1. Prepare rice, grain or pasta if using
2. Prepare all ingredients (slice, chop, etc) so they are all ready to go
3. Heat pan and oil in pan (you can flavor oil with garlic and ginger)
4. Add ingredients by length of cooking time, adding ingredients that take longest first*
5. Add sauce (can be as simple as a splash of soy, fish sauce, lime juice, sesame oil, etc.)
6. Serve immediately

*If your stir-fry includes meat or seafood, consider cooking the meat, removing from pan and then cooking the vegetables so you don’t over cook your meat

Stir-Fry Recipes to Try:

Shrimp & Snow Pea Stir-Fry 

Sauteed Baby Squash with Basil & Feta

Chicken & Leek Stir-Fry

Spicy Asparagus-Tempeh Stir-Fry

Brown Rise Stir-Fry with Kimchi, Pork & Tofu

Grace Young’s Best Stir-Fry Tips

I absolutely love entertaining, having and attending parties, and making appetizers. Eating the appetizers tops the list as well, of course!

I always go for cocktail parties because I love the idea of mingling and little bites of food. (I’m going to pretend that if we had a dining table that could fit a meal for four people I would still feel the same way). But whether you are serving a multi-course meal or wine with some simple snacks, here are small ways to make any get-together a little better.

 beverages

• champagne (makes everything more festive)
• signature cocktail (great signature cocktail ideas from Martha)
• a variety of wine and craft beers
• flavored water like cucumber slices or strawberry and orange slices (recently had this at a hotel and it was wonderful)
• something non-alcoholic (iced tea, juice spritzer, sparkling water, etc.)