What's for dinner? Cashew Stir Fry

Cashew Stir Fry

 I've been experimenting with meatless dinners for quite some time and recently tackled one of our favorite meals - chicken stir fry.  I substituted raw cashew pieces for the traditional chicken in this stir fry.  I also added yakisoba noodles and omitted rice as a side.  It tastes delicious! 

I think you'll like this recipe.  It is super quick to make.  Tonight's stir fry started at 6:05 pm and was set on the table at 6:20pm.  That's my kind of dinner!

Cashew Stir Fry
1 T. oil.  I like sesame oil because of its flavor but any kind will do.
1 T. beef soup base, dissolved in 1 c. warm water.  Or, you can dissolve 3 bouillon cubes in 1 c. water.
1-2 T. soy sauce.  I use Kikkoman light.
1/2 c. raw cashew pieces.  They're quite inexpensive bought in bulk.
2 c. yakisoba noodles.  You can find them at Costco, Walmart and most grocery stores.
Vegetables of choice.  In Winter I usually buy bags of frozen vegetable mixes from Winco and/or Costco.  Tonight I used 2/3 of a bag of Bird's Eye Oriental Stir Fry Vegetables (58 oz).  Amounts vary depending on how much veggies you want to use.

In large frying pan, heat oil over high heat.  Add raw cashews and stir around until they start to brown.  It browns quick!  Add Yakisoba noodles, about 1/4 c. beef soup base/water and about 1 T. soy sauce.  Stir around until noodles begin to brown in areas.  Dump in veggies and another 1/4 c. soup base/water.  Stir everything together.  Reduce heat to about medium and cover pan for a few minutes.  This helps the frozen veggies cook quicker.  If you use fresh veggies, you won't need to cover the pan.  Lift pan and stir again.  You might need to cover again for a few more minutes.  When veggies are beginning to get tender and all water has evaporated, you are done.  The amount of water you use will depend on how high your heat is and if you use fresh or frozen veggies.  If your stir fry starts to stick to the pan, add a couple tablespoons of water/soup base or more soy sauce.

The instructions might seem complicated but really it's simple and quick.  Experiment with your own combinations and flavors.  It's quite flexible.  Enjoy!

Cashews, frozen veggies, yakisoba, soup base, soy sauce and sesame oil.  That's it.

Cashews and yakisoba starting to brown.

I cover my pan with a pizza pan - no lid large enough  :)

Veggies tender, not overcooked.