Absolute Reference Vegetable Medley

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant vegetable stir-fry where each ingredient is measured with exact precision, mimicking Excel's absolute cell referencing for perfect texture and flavor balance. This asian-inspired vegetarian ready in about 33 minutes pairs broccoli, carrots, snow peas for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 8 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cut broccoli into 1/2-inch florets and carrots into thin 1/8-inch matchsticks. Slice snow peas in half diagonally.
  2. Step 2: Mince garlic and grate ginger. Whisk together soy sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, rice vinegar, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 2 tbsp water in a bowl.
  3. Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp sesame oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add broccoli and carrots, stir-fry for 3 minutes until crisp-tender.
  4. Step 4: Add snow peas and stir-fry for 2 minutes until bright green. Push vegetables to the side of the wok.
  5. Step 5: Add minced garlic and grated ginger to the center, stir for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  6. Step 6: Pour sauce mixture over vegetables, stirring constantly until it thickens and coats all ingredients (about 1 minute) and bubbles vigorously.
  7. Step 7: Remove from heat immediately and serve hot while vegetables are still crisp.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Absolute Reference Vegetable Medley take to make?

Total time is about 33 minutes (25 min prep + 8 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Absolute Reference Vegetable Medley?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep broccoli from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Absolute Reference Vegetable Medley?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Absolute Reference Vegetable Medley for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Absolute Reference Vegetable Medley?

Asian vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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