Recipe: Spicy Stir-Fried Celery

     It's super bowl Sunday. There is probably a plethora of delicious artery clogging foods all around you. I'm not gonna lie, that sounds really good right now. But, while I patiently wait for my man to get home and crack open a cold one, I decided I'd keep it light and whip up one of my favorite snacks. 

     I love celery. It may be an odd vegetable to love, but I do. It's crunchy and refreshing, delicate in flavor. It is a very under-appreciated veg, in my opinion. You find it along side hot wings, in soups, or with some ranch on the standard party veggie tray. But this recipe makes it the star. Make that, breakout star. If you have been discarding the leafy green bits, you've been throwing away a ton of flavor. They are the most flavorful part of the celery stalk. When cooked, the flavor of the leaves intensifies. This is a super easy, flavorful snack or accompaniment to any dish with Asian-flavors. It has a texture and flavor very similar to baby bok choy. (Another much loved vegetable.) It takes less than 10 minutes from start to finish.

Spicy Stir-Fried Celery

makes one snack sized portion

- half a head of celery 

- 1 heaping tsp coconut oil

- pinch of salt

- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

- 1/4 tsp ground ginger

- 1/2 tsp sesame seeds, plus more for garnish

- 1 tbsp soy sauce

1) Cut celery stalks horizontally into roughly 3 inch sections, then cut vertically into strips. 

3) Heat a large skillet over medium high heat.  Add coconut oil and salt, swirl to coat pan. Add crushed red pepper, ginger, and 1/2 tsp sesame seeds. Cook for about 30 seconds or until sesame seeds start to brown.

4) Add celery, toss to coat in the oil. Cook 2 minutes, stirring often. Add soy sauce, toss to coat. Cook 1 minute more or until celery is crisp-tender. Plate and top with more sesame seeds.

Enjoy!