Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli ) With Oyster Sauce

Very quick and delicious preparation for gai lan or kai lan. Gai lan is sometimes referred to as Chinese broccoli. The stalks are thinner than regular broccoli and as a bonus you also get to eat beautiful yellow gai lan flowers that are often bundled together. This dish is often served at dim sum restaurants. Cooking time is very, very quick and should not be overcooked.

• Ready In: 8 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 1  lb  gai lan
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons  vegetable oil
• 3  garlic cloves, peeled and smashed but left intact
• 1⁄4 cup  chicken stock
• 1  tablespoon sake (or sherry) or 1  tablespoon  chinese rice wine (or sherry)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon sugar
• 3  tablespoons oyster sauce
• 3⁄4 inch fresh ginger, cut into 1/4 inch coins and smashed
• 1  teaspoon  sesame oil

Directions

1. Wash the gai lan and trim the ends of stalk (about 1/2 inch) and discard the ends.
2. Mix the chicken stock, sake, and sugar in a small bowl and set aside.
3. In a large wok or pan heat 1 1/2 T vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the garlic cloves and cook until lightly golden about 1 to 2 minutes. Be careful you do not burn the garlic.
4. Turn the heat to high and add the ginger and cook for 15 to 20 seconds and add gai lan stalks.
5. With a large spoon or spatula scoop up the oil and bathe the gai lan stalks for about 1 minute.
6. Pour the chicken stock mixture and immediately cover the wok or the pan with a tight fitting lid.
7. Turn down the heat to medium and let gai lan steam for about 3-4 minutes. You should be able to easily pierce with the stalks with a fork.
8. Remove the gai lan to a plate, leaving any remaining stock mixture in the wok or the pan and add oyster sauce and sesame oil. Cook for about 1 minute on medium high and pour the sauce over the cooked gai lan and serve.