Five Spice Baby Bok Choy Recipe

ByBob Jones

I enjoy making uncomplicated but delicious vegetable dishes that showcase the best of fresh ingredients, like this Five Spice Baby Bok Choy. Tender, versatile, and consistent with much of Chinese cooking, bok choy is packed with nutrients.

For this recipe, I sauté the bok choy in just a little vegetable oil, helping to keep the dish light while also allowing bok choy to express its natural sweetness. Minced garlic gives the dish a fragrant lift, while soy sauce adds an umami kick.

And while soy sauce is not the secret ingredient here, it certainly helps bok choy to deliver the “wow” factor. I like to add a hint of sesame oil, whose nutty aroma pairs so perfectly with the delicate licorice and pepper notes of Chinese five-spice powder.

I opt for just a dash of crushed red pepper flakes, which brings the perfect amount of heat to the dish; these flavors combined render a balanced, exciting side. If I’m looking for a straightforward dish, this bok choy preparation is about as straightforward as it gets.

But it’s also a gilded lily kind of straightforward: Bok choy is itself a good ingredient that one might cook simply to highlight its flavor and texture. If I want to make a more robust dish with bok choy, I’ll do so in a way that keeps the bok choy at the center.

Ingredients photo for Five Spice Baby Bok Choy Recipe

Ingredients

Ingredients photo for Five Spice Baby Bok Choy Recipe

Bok Choy Baby: A powerhouse of nutrients, rich in the vitamins A, C, and K, and low in calories.

Aromatic depth is added by garlic, which is also renowned for its anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting, and other health benefits.

Soy Sauce: Delivers a delectable umami taste, a fermented liquid brimming with proteins and amino acids.

Nutty-tasting, sesame oil is rich in fatty acids and antioxidants and is there for good health.

Five Spice Powder Chinese: A blend of star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, and fennel; adds warmth and complexity.

Ingredient Quantities

  • 1 pound baby bok choy, halved lengthwise

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce

  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil

  • 1/2 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

  • Salt to taste

  • 1 tablespoon water

  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, for garnish

  • 2 green onions, sliced for garnish

Instructions

1. Wash the baby bok choy in cold water and dry it thoroughly. Slice each bok choy in half down the middle.

2. In a large skillet or wok, over medium-high heat, add the vegetable oil.

3. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds until its aroma is released.

4. Place the baby bok choy in the skillet, cut side down, and cook for 2-3 minutes until they start to brown.

5. In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, Chinese five spice powder, crushed red pepper flakes, and water.

6. Verser le mélange de sauce de soja sur le bok choy dans la poêle.

7. Gently toss the bok choy to coat evenly with the sauce, cover the skillet, and cook for another 2-3 minutes until tender-crisp.

8. Take off the lid and keep cooking for another minute so the sauce can reduce a bit.

9. Add salt to taste, then move the bok choy to a dish for serving.

10. Before serving, garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.

Equipment Needed

1. Strainer
2. Chopping block
3. Cook’s knife
4. A large skillet or a wok that has a lid
5. Spatula or wooden spoon
6. Bowl, small
7. Spoons for measurement
8. Dish for serving

FAQ

  • What is the Chinese five spice powder?Five spices usually blended together make up the typical ingredient. They are star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, and fennel seeds. They are used (and are also good to use) in the depths of Asian culinary tradition to add a great depth of flavor to a range of dishes.

  • Can I use regular bok choy instead of baby bok choy?Certainly, bok choy can be replaced with regular bok choy, but you’ll want to alter the cooking time somewhat because it requires a lengthier sauté to reach tenderness.

  • Is there a substitute for sesame oil?Although sesame oil imparts a distinctive taste, olive oil or peanut oil can be used instead. The flavor profile will be slightly different, but that’s not a bad thing. There are plenty of oil choices that can taste great in this dressing.

  • How spicy is this dish with the red pepper flakes?Red pepper flakes add a mild heat, but you can vary the amount to suit your heat preference.

  • Can I make this recipe without soy sauce?If you are steering clear of soy sauce, think about using either tamari or coconut aminos as an alternative. Both provide similar levels of saltiness and umami as well as a few other flavor notes that come together to create the sauce-like experience you expect.

  • How long does it take to cook the bok choy?Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, until the bok choy is tender yet crisp.

  • Is there a way to make this dish gluten-free?Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari to make the dish gluten-free.

Substitutions and Variations

Cooking oil: Use olive or avocado oil instead.
Soy sauce: For a gluten-free option, use tamari or coconut aminos.
Sesame oil: Use peanut oil or walnut oil for a changed flavor profile.
Red pepper flakes: For heat, substitute with cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce.
Sesame seeds: Substitute with roasted peanuts or cashews for extra crunch.