Merriam-Webster's Wordplay Vegetable Medley
A vibrant, colorful stir-fry of bell peppers, carrots, and snap peas tossed in a tangy ginger-scallion sauce, embodying the 'fun' of playful eating. This asian-inspired vegetarian ready in about 25 minutes pairs medium, julienned carrots, snap peas, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 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.
Ingredients
- 2, sliced into 1/4-inch strips bell peppers
- 2 medium, julienned carrots
- 1 cup snap peas
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp, minced fresh ginger
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 3, sliced scallions
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tbsp sesame oil, swirling to coat the pan.
- Step 2: Add 2 sliced bell peppers, 2 julienned carrots, and 1 cup snap peas, stir-frying for 5 minutes until crisp-tender and bright green.
- Step 3: Push vegetables to the sides of the skillet, add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Mix 3 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp rice vinegar in a small bowl, then pour over the vegetables, stirring constantly for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats everything evenly.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 3 sliced scallions and 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds until combined.
- Step 6: Serve immediately as a colorful, playful side dish or over rice for a complete meal.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Merriam-Webster's Wordplay Vegetable Medley take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 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 Merriam-Webster's Wordplay 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 medium, julienned carrots from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Merriam-Webster's Wordplay 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 Merriam-Webster's Wordplay 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 Merriam-Webster's Wordplay 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Quick to prep and the results are amazing. A real keeper.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
