From the Garden...Celery with Citrus Ginger Sauce

Here’s a simply delicious side dish!  My husband couldn’t believe CELERY could be so good.  I couldn’t believe it could be so quick as well.  This is a healthy, fiber-filled, delicious side dish.  I especially like it with an entrée that I bake, like chicken breasts or fish, so I can stir fry while the main dish is baking and have it all done on time.

Peanuts or old-fashioned Chow Mein noodles make a good topping too; and I have used a Meyer lemon instead of orange for the citrus – and also purchased orange juice as well.  I use the purchased fresh ginger paste in a tube that I find in the refrigerated salad section of our grocery – no waste.                 

Celery with Citrus Ginger Sauce

  2         Teaspoons  Orange Zest -- slivered

     1/3  Cup  Fresh Orange Juice

  2         Tablespoons  Soy Sauce

  1         Tablespoon  Honey

  1         Teaspoon  Cornstarch

  2         Tablespoons  Olive Oil

  4         Cups  Celery -- diagonally sliced

  1         Teaspoon  Fresh Ginger -- finely chopped

  1         Teaspoon  Garlic -- finely chopped

     3/4  Cup  Onion -- halved and slivered

     1/4  Cup  Cashews -- chopped

Cut orange zest into fine slivers.  Whisk orange juice, soy sauce, honey and cornstarch together until blended.

Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add oil, celery, onion and orange zest.  Stir fry until celery is crisp tender but still bright green, 3-4 minutes.  Stir in ginger and garlic.  Add the orange juice mixture and stir fry just until the sauce thickens, about 1 minute.

Sprinkle with cashews and serve.

6 Servings

Per Serving : 115 Calories; 7g Fat (53.8% calories from fat); 2g Protein; 12g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 415mg Sodium.  Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 1 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 1 1/2 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.

 Adapted from “Eating Well” Magazine