Meatless Monday: Stir-Fried Snap Peas, Bell Peppers & Shitake Mushrooms

Stir-Fried Snap Peas, Bell Peppers & Shitake Mushrooms

Just this weekend, a friend was asking me on Twitter if I knew any vegetable recipes for kids. That got me to thinking today that it's been a little while since I've posted a straight up vegetable dish, even though I make them all the time.

Usually inspired by my farmers market finds, I find that my creativity comes out best when I'm working with vegetables (not protein). The textures, the colors, the flavors, the ever-changing seasonal inventory are what get me excited. I plan my meals around vegetables and fruits, not the other way around.

So today, here's a simple recipe that I make all the time for Stir-Fried Snap Peas, Bell Peppers & Shitake Mushrooms. This dish cooks up in a flash. I saute the vegetables quickly in my cast iron skillet, finishing them with a little low sodium tamari and a sprinkling of sesame seeds. I've noticed beautiful peppers and peas at the farmers market over the last few weeks, so take advantage of them.

Stir-Fried Snap Peas, Bell Peppers & Shitake Mushrooms
Serves 4 people
Cooking time: about 7 minutes
Vegan, gluten-free 

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil 
• 1 garlic clove, peeled and chopped
• pinch of chili flakes (optional)
• 2 cups snap peas
• 2 cups red bell peppers, julienned
• 1 cup shitake mushrooms, julienned
• 1 tablespoon low sodium tamari
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a saute pan or cast iron skillet over medium high heat. 
2. Add the garlic and chili flakes and cook for one minute.
3. Add the snap peas, peppers, and mushrooms and reduce the heat to medium. Saute until becoming tender (about 3-4 minutes), stirring occasionally.
4. Add the tamari and the sesame seeds. Cook for one more minute or until all the vegetables are tender. Enjoy!

Source for Ingredients

• snap peas, bell peppers, baby shitake mushrooms, and garlic from West Hollywood Farmers Market 
• organic low sodium tamari from Whole Foods
• sesame seeds from Trader Joe's