Lettuce with Oyster Sauce is a simple and quick home-style vegetable dish. The lettuce is blanched until vibrant and crisp, then drizzled with a sweet and savory oyster sauce. It’s refreshing and pairs perfectly with rich, heavy dishes.
🌴 Ingredients:
· 1 head of lettuce (washed, torn into large pieces)
🌴 Aromatics:
· 4-5 cloves minced garlic
· A little minced ginger (optional)
🌴 Seasonings:
· 2 tbsp oyster sauce (about 30ml, the soul of the dish)
· 1 tbsp light soy sauce (about 10ml)
· 1 tsp sugar (about 5g, to enhance flavor)
· 1 tsp cornstarch (about 5g, mixed with water)
· Cooking oil, as needed
🌴 Instructions:
- Blanch the Lettuce
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt and a few drops of oil, blanch the lettuce for 30 seconds, then drain and arrange on a plate. ⚠️ Note: Never blanch for too long, or the lettuce will become mushy. I’ve tried blanching for a minute, and it lost all its texture. - Make the Sauce
In a small bowl, mix the oyster sauce, light soy sauce, sugar, and a little water. ⚠️ Note: Oyster sauce is already salty, so never add extra salt. - Sauté the Garlic
Heat a little oil in a pan, add the minced garlic and ginger, and stir-fry over low heat until fragrant. ⚠️ Note: Don’t burn the garlic, or it will turn bitter. - Pour and Serve
Pour in the sauce and bring to a boil over medium heat. Thicken with cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce is glossy. Drizzle the sauce evenly over the lettuce and serve hot. ⚠️ Note: Pour the sauce at the very end to keep the lettuce crisp.
💡 Tips:
The key to Lettuce with Oyster Sauce is “vibrant lettuce, sweet and savory oyster sauce.” Blanch the lettuce for just 30 seconds and drain well. Never add extra salt since the oyster sauce is already salty. Thicken the sauce slightly before drizzling for a glossy finish.
If you enjoy this crisp and savory vegetable dish, you should also try my Garlic Stir-fried Greens. For more classic home-style dishes, check out my Home-style category.
❤️ Click the homepage for more delicious recipes!