Chinese Mu Shu Vegetables
December 16, 2015
By Elizabeth Palmer Califano

Traditionally made with pork, though often made with chicken or shrimp, Mu Shu is a simple and delicious authentic Northern Chinese recipe that’s easily adapted and made healthier. By keeping the focus on the vegetables, the fiber and nutrients go up, and the fat and cholesterol go down. Cabbage offers a deluge of health benefits, including high doses of vitamins C and K, beta-carotene, and sulforaphane, which is touted for its cancer-fighting properties. For a gluten-free option, serve this mu shu over brown rice. This recipe also makes for great leftovers, so feel free to double it for easy and healthy meals all week long.

Serves: 4

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 4 scallions, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh minced ginger
  • 2 cups chopped mushrooms
  • 4 cups shredded white cabbage
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce or tamari
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Hoisin sauce, to serve
  • Mu Shu pancakes, to serve

Directions:

  1. In a large skillet, heat the sesame oil over medium heat. Add the scallions, garlic, and ginger, and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and slightly golden.
  2. Add the mushrooms, increase the heat to medium high, and sauté for 3-4 more minutes, until the mushrooms release their liquid and start to caramelize. Add the cabbage, carrots, soy sauce, vinegar, and a pinch of salt and pepper, and stir well to combine.
  3. Allow everything to cook for 1-2 minutes, until the cabbage and carrots are just softened but not mushy. Season to taste as needed.
  4. To serve, wrap the pancakes in a damp towel, and warm them in a low oven for 2-3 minutes. Serve the mu shu with the warm pancakes, extra scallions, and hoisin sauce on the side. Enjoy!

Related Posts

How to Eat Healthy on Vacation Without A Fridge

How to Eat Healthy on Vacation Without A Fridge

Most advice about eating healthy on vacation involves buying alternate options at grocery stores and cooking some nights instead of dining out. But that assumes you’ll have access to a fridge and possibly a stove—amenities that are not present in all hotel rooms and...

Cozy Winter Beverages from Around the World

Cozy Winter Beverages from Around the World

Strolling through a Christmas market sipping mulled wine or snuggled up on the couch with a mug of hot chocolate, a cozy winter beverage warms the soul. Every culture has a particular version of these comforting, cold-weather drinks. The best part? Many of these...

Colombian Cauliflower Steaks with Chimichurri Crema

Colombian Cauliflower Steaks with Chimichurri Crema

This fresh take on a classic Colombian dish swaps beef steak for cauliflower “steak”, offering a lighter, yet still deliciously satisfying dish that’s fun to share with vegans and carnivores alike. Widely considered an Argentinian condiment, chimichurri is also...

About the Author

Elizabeth Palmer Califano
Elizabeth is a graduate of Hamilton College and The French Culinary Institute, as well as an avid world traveler and dinner party hostess. For more information, visit her website: www.elizabethpalmerkitchen.com