Sometimes when you get caught up with life/ work/ the kids etc, the last thing you want to do is slave in the kitchen. Convenience foods would be a no-brainer option for many, but what sort of convenience foods can one eat on the autoimmune protocol (AIP)? Frozen pizza is obviously out; what I’m talking about are foods that allow you to take shortcuts and whip up home-cooked meals in a jiffy.
I recently discovered packaged broccoli stem slaw at the supermarket and decided to give it a try. No, not for making broccoli stem slaw, but to stir-fry with! I found it really handy to have around and will snap up at least 2 bags of it whenever it goes on sale. It helps cut down on prep work in the kitchen and is pretty versatile. Of course, you could easily make slaw with it, but this is great when you’re hankering for a stir-fry but not really keen on the vegetable prep!
The recipe is really versatile and you could easily substitute or omit the Chinese ingredients. No dried shrimp on hand? Use something that has loads of umami, like chopped bacon! If you don’t wish to use wood ear fungus, you can substitute with dried Shiitake mushrooms instead. Add some protein (e.g. sliced meat) if you wish, and make it a one-pan meal.
What are your go-to foods when you’re pressed for time and following the AIP or any other way of eating that makes typical convenience foods a non-option?
- 1 tbsp oil/ fat
- 1 tbsp dried shrimp, soaked in approx. ⅓ cup hot water for about 5 minutes (reserve water for cooking)
- 1 tbsp coconut aminos or soy-free coconut seasoning
- 2 tbsp dried black wood ear fungus, soaked in hot water until softened (discard water and trim tough ends)
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
- 1 shallot, peeled and chopped
- 1 12oz/ 340g pack broccoli slaw
- 2 pinches sea salt, or to taste
- Heat frying pan on medium-high heat and add in oil/ fat
- Add reconstituted dried shrimp, followed by black wood ear fungus
- Stir fry until aromatic and then add garlic and shallot
- Stir fry for another minute
- Add in broccoli slaw and stir to combine
- Add in reserved shrimp water, coconut aminos and sea salt
- Stir to mix, lower heat to medium
- Allow to cook for 5 minutes or until vegetables are cooked to your liking
- Serve immediately
