Sweet and Sour Vegetables Recipe (Indo-Chinese Style)
A vibrant and flavorful Indo-Chinese dish, Sweet and Sour Vegetables offers a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and spicy notes, making it an irresistible choice for any meal. This delightful dish features a medley of fresh vegetables, including cauliflower, carrots, baby corn, and bell peppers, all stir-fried to perfection and coated in a glossy, savory-sweet sauce. Whether served as a main dish or as an accompaniment to vegetarian noodles or rice, this recipe is sure to impress your family and friends.
Recipe Overview
- Cuisine: Indo-Chinese
- Course: Main Course
- Diet: Vegetarian
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 4
Ingredients
This recipe uses simple, everyday ingredients that come together to create a flavorful dish. Hereโs what youโll need:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Cauliflower (Gobi) | 5 florets |
| Carrots (Gajjar) | 1, cut into rounds |
| Baby Corn | 5, cut into 1-inch pieces |
| Green Bell Pepper (Capsicum) | 1, cut into wedges |
| Onion | 1, cut into wedges |
| Garlic | 2 cloves, grated |
| Spring Onion Greens | 4 sprigs, bulbs and leaves |
| Salt | To taste |
| Pepper | To taste |
| Tomato Ketchup | 3 tablespoons |
| Red Chilli Sauce | 1 tablespoon (adjust to taste) |
| Soy Sauce | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Vinegar | 1 teaspoon |
| Corn Flour | 1 tablespoon |
Instructions
1. Preparing the Sauce
The sauce for Sweet and Sour Vegetables is what gives this dish its signature flavor. The key is to balance the sweetness from the ketchup and the tanginess from the vinegar with a bit of spice from the red chilli sauce. Here’s how you prepare it:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the tomato ketchup, red chilli sauce, soy sauce, and vinegar. Add 1/2 cup of water and whisk everything together to ensure there are no lumps.
- Transfer the mixture into a saucepan and bring it to a gentle boil over medium heat. Stir constantly to prevent the sauce from thickening too quickly or forming lumps.
- Once the sauce thickens to your desired consistency, adjust by adding more water if needed. Check the salt and spice levels, adding more sauce if necessary to achieve the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spicy.
- Set the sauce aside while you prepare the vegetables.
2. Cooking the Vegetables
Now, itโs time to stir-fry the vegetables to bring out their natural flavors and textures. The stir-frying technique helps retain their crunchiness while soaking in the flavors of the sauce.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the onions, garlic, and green bell pepper. Sautรฉ for about 1-2 minutes, until the onions begin to soften and the peppers start to slightly char.
- Add the remaining vegetables: cauliflower florets, carrots, and baby corn. Sprinkle with salt and stir-fry the mixture for about 5-7 minutes. The vegetables should be cooked but still retain a slight crunch. You can also cover the wok for a minute or two to help steam the vegetables and speed up the cooking process.
- Once the vegetables are tender but crisp, pour in the prepared sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring gently to coat the vegetables evenly in the sauce.
- Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning if necessary. If you prefer more heat, feel free to add a little extra red chilli sauce or pepper.
3. Serving the Sweet and Sour Vegetables
Serve this vibrant and tangy vegetable dish immediately, ideally with some Vegetarian Hakka Noodles or Chilli Coriander Fried Rice. This dish makes a fantastic main course and pairs wonderfully with other Indo-Chinese fare.
Tips for a Perfect Sweet and Sour Vegetables:
- Crunchy Vegetables: Stir-frying the vegetables over high heat for a short time ensures they remain crispy. If you prefer softer vegetables, you can reduce the stir-frying time.
- Adjusting Spice Levels: The amount of red chilli sauce can be adjusted depending on how spicy you want the dish to be. For a milder version, reduce the quantity or use sweet chilli sauce instead.
- Corn Flour: The corn flour in the sauce helps to thicken it and gives the dish a glossy finish. Be sure to add it gradually to avoid clumps.
Nutritional Information (Approx.)
Hereโs a quick breakdown of the nutritional content per serving:
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 120 kcal |
| Protein | 3g |
| Carbohydrates | 27g |
| Dietary Fiber | 5g |
| Sugars | 9g |
| Fat | 1g |
| Sodium | 350mg |
Conclusion
Sweet and Sour Vegetables is a delicious and healthy Indo-Chinese dish that brings together the perfect balance of flavors. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or serving it at a gathering, this vibrant dish will surely satisfy everyone’s taste buds. The combination of crisp vegetables and a tangy sauce is a treat for both the eyes and the palate. Enjoy this dish with your favorite rice or noodles, and add some spring onions on top for a fresh burst of flavor!
