Sweet & Sour Cashew Stir-fry

A Sweet & Sour Cashew Stir-fry is a delicious, crunchy, and flavorful dish that combines the nuttiness of cashews with a tangy sweet-and-sour sauce, making it perfect for a quick and healthy meal. Here’s a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup raw cashews (unsalted)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or any neutral oil)
• 1 bell pepper, sliced (any color)
• 1 carrot, thinly sliced
• 1 zucchini, sliced into half-moons
• 1/2 cup broccoli florets
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece of ginger, minced
• 2-3 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
• Cooked rice or noodles (for serving)

For the Sweet & Sour Sauce:

• 1/4 cup rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup for vegan)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (mixed with 2 tablespoons water to make a slurry)
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional for extra flavor)

Instructions:

1. Toast the Cashews:
   • In a large pan or wok, dry-toast the cashews over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until golden and fragrant. Stir occasionally to prevent burning. Remove from the pan and set aside.
2. Stir-Fry the Vegetables:
   • In the same pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
   • Add the garlic and ginger, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
   • Add the bell peppers, carrots, zucchini, and broccoli. Stir-fry for about 5-6 minutes, until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.
3. Make the Sweet & Sour Sauce:
   • In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, ketchup, honey, and sesame oil.
   • Add the cornstarch slurry to the sauce mixture to help it thicken.
4. Combine Everything:
   • Pour the sweet and sour sauce into the pan with the vegetables and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and coats the vegetables.
   • Add the toasted cashews back into the pan and toss everything together.
5. Serve:
   • Serve the sweet & sour cashew stir-fry over cooked rice or noodles. Garnish with chopped green onions and enjoy!

This dish offers a perfect balance of crunchy vegetables, creamy cashews, and tangy sweet-and-sour flavors!