Gai Lan with Oyster Sauce
This classic Chinese side dish features tender-crisp gai lan (Chinese broccoli) blanched to perfection and drizzled with a savory, umami-rich oyster sauce. It's a simple yet flavorful accompaniment to any meal, ready in minutes.
An original recipe by Forkin
- Total time
- 15 min
- Serves
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Per serving
- 59 kcal
Allergen information: may contain molluscs, sesame, and soy. Always check ingredient packaging if you have an allergy.
Mise en place
Ingredients
Converted for display; the recipe amounts stay equivalent.
Ingredients
- 500 ggai lan, trimmed
sauce
- 2 clovegarlic, minced
- 3 tbspoyster sauce
- 1 tspsesame oil
- 0.5 tspsugar
- 0.25 tspwhite pepper
- 2 tbspwater
- 1 tspvegetable oil
Equipment
tongs · small pan · large pot · colander · whisk · small bowl
The method
Step by step
- 1
Wash the gai lan thoroughly and trim off any tough ends from the stems.
About 2 min
Cook’s note: Ensure the gai lan is clean as it can sometimes have grit.
- 2
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
About 3 min
Cook’s note: A large pot allows the gai lan to cook evenly.
- 3
Carefully add the gai lan to the boiling water and blanch for 2-3 minutes, until tender-crisp and bright green.
About 3 min
Cook’s note: Do not overcook; the gai lan should retain some bite.
- 4
Immediately remove the blanched gai lan from the hot water and drain well.
Cook’s note: You can use tongs or a colander for this step.
- 5
Arrange the drained gai lan neatly on a serving platter.
About 1 min
- 6
In a small bowl, whisk together the oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar, white pepper, and water for the sauce.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Mix until the sugar is dissolved.
- 7
Heat the vegetable oil in a small pan or wok over medium heat.
About 1 min
- 8
Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
About 1 min
- 9
Pour the prepared sauce mixture into the pan with the garlic and bring it to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: The sauce should be just warm and pourable.
- 10
Drizzle the warm sauce evenly over the blanched gai lan on the serving platter.
- 11
Serve immediately as a side dish.
Per serving
Nutrition
- Calories
- 59.1kcal
- Protein
- 2.7g
- Carbs
- 7.5g
- Fat
- 2.7g
- Fibre
- 2.5g
- Sugar
- 2.6g
Estimated from the recipe’s ingredient quantities. Values can vary with brands and substitutions.
Keep it good
Store leftover gai lan and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
Gently reheat the gai lan in a microwave or by steaming, then re-warm the sauce and pour over.
More recipes
All recipesmain course
Braaivleis (South African BBQ)
Braaivleis is the South African term for barbecue, focusing on grilling various meats over an open flame or coals. This recipe features marinated steak, boerewors (sausage), and chicken pieces, cooked to perfection with traditional flavors. It's a social and flavorful way to enjoy a meal outdoors.
1 hr 10 minmain course
Classic Eggplant Parmesan
This comforting Eggplant Parmesan features tender, breaded eggplant slices layered with rich tomato sauce and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. It's a satisfying vegetarian main course that's perfect for a family meal.
1 hr 25 min 800 kcalmain course
Confit de Canard
This classic French dish features duck legs slow-cooked in their own fat until incredibly tender and flavorful. The meat becomes succulent, and the skin crisps beautifully when seared before serving. A truly indulgent and satisfying meal.
1 day 2 hrdinner
Teriyaki Chicken With Linguini
A flavorful weeknight meal featuring tender, grilled chicken marinated in a homemade teriyaki sauce. The chicken is tossed with crisp-tender vegetables and linguini, creating a satisfying fusion dish.
1 hr 40 min 595 kcaldessert
Easy Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake
This simple dessert uses just a few pantry staples to create a sweet, bubbly fruit cobbler with a golden-brown, buttery crust. Canned fruit is topped with dry cake mix and butter, then baked until perfect. Serve it warm on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
1 hr 10 minside dish
Buttercrust Flake-Aparts
These soft, pull-apart rolls have rich, buttery layers that are incredibly satisfying to peel away. While they look impressive, the simple layering technique makes them surprisingly easy to prepare for a special breakfast or dinner side.
3 hr 20 min 305 kcalside dish
Instant Baked Potatoes
A quick and convenient take on a loaded baked potato, using instant mashed potatoes as a base. Mixed with cheese, bacon, and vegetables, then heated in foil packets on the grill or in the oven for an easy and satisfying side dish.
30 min 413 kcal