Light and easy san choy bow recipe
San choy bow is also known as sang choi bau – a yummy, quick dish that originated from Guangzhou, China. Regardless of what you call it, it’s a quick, easy and delicious dinner. For kids who are yet to discover the fun of dinner in a lettuce cup, I give you this building block recipe.
- Prep time : 15 mins
- Cooking time : 15 mins
San choy bow ingredients
- lettuce leaves (butter lettuce or iceberg)
- 1 tbs oil
- 500g beef mince
- 1 tsp minced ginger
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 tbs kecap manis (sweet soy sauce)
- 2 tsp tamari (light soy sauce)
- 3 green spring onions, thinly sliced
- ½ lime, juiced
- a few drops of sesame oil (optional)
- 1 cup of beansprouts
- ¼ cup fresh coriander leaves, chopped
- 1 carrot, grated
- ¼ – ½ red capsicum, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup peanuts, chopped
Method
- Prepare your lettuce cups. For the record, I find butter lettuce easier to work with than a tight iceberg, but go with what your kids will eat! If your lettuce leaves are huge, trim them with clean scissors.
- Heat a wok over high heat until hot. Add the oil and swish it around the wok to coat. Add the mince, ginger and garlic. Stir fry for a few minutes, breaking up the mince until it just starts to brown.
- Combine the kecap manis and tamari in a small bowl. Add the mixed sauce to the wok along with the spring onions, lime juice and sesame oil (if using). Stir fry until heated through.
- Stir in beansprouts and coriander.
- Spoon the mixture into the lettuce leaves. Top with peanuts. Here’s also an opportunity for a touch of extra vegetables – add extra grated carrot, capsicum or coriander if you dare! Serve.
Notes
- San choy bow really does lend itself to lots of different flavours. Use pork, chicken or beef mince and add your kids’ favourite vegetables.
- Celery is fantastic for extra crunch, and for spicing it up, go ahead and add a touch of lemongrass or chilli.
Browse our recipe section for more great meal ideas and treats to try.