Cheap and Tasty Stir-Fry Dinner on Today Show

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Want to get back to basics with good food — at a great price? Nutritionist and healthy lifestyle expert Chef Lala shares a special stir-fry that serves a family of four for less than $20. Learn how to prepare a quick, easy and inexpensive meal that everyone will enjoy.

Almond chicken stir-fry Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons lite soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound chicken breast, thinly sliced
  • 2 ounces raw almonds, slivered
  • 3 tablespoons peanut or canola oil
  • 3 each green onion stalks, thinly sliced
  • 2 large carrots, peeled, thinly sliced diagonally
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 10 ounces broccoli florets, separated
  • 1/4 cup oyster sauce
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken stock or water

Preparation

In a bowl, combine lite soy sauce, cornstarch, water, and garlic and stir well. Add chicken and stir to coat. Allow to marinate for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large wok or pan, over medium heat, toast almond slivers and until golden. Remove from pan and set aside.

Over high heat, add oil to the wok until very hot. Add chicken and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Add green onion and stir to combine.  Add carrots, bell pepper and broccoli florets. Cover and steam for 1-2 minutes. Uncover and add oyster sauce mixed with chicken stock. Stir to combine. Serve immediately.

Extras

Serve stir-fry with brown rice: Grain foods, especially whole grains, supply vitamin E and B vitamins such as folic acid, as well as minerals like magnesium, iron and zinc. Whole grains, like brown rice, are rich in fiber. Sauté your rice with diced vegetables for great taste, color and texture.

Pack on the vegetables: Vegetables are packed with all types of healthy nutrients — vitamin C, folic acid and beta-carotene. Dark-green leafy vegetables, such as spinach or broccoli, are especially high in these nutrients.

Other great stir-fry vegetable options: mushrooms, snow peas, soy beans, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, celery, white onion, zucchini, green beans, ginger, bok choy

Chef’s Note:Serve fruit as dessert: Fruit’s sweet flavor comes from fructose, a naturally occurring sugar. Fructose is a carbohydrate, which is a good source of energy or blood glucose and your body’s main source of energy. Fruit is full of healthy substances such as vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, folic acid, antioxidants and fiber.