Name: Shrimp and Wild Rice Stem (茭白) Stir Fry
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 24 shrimp (large (shells removed and deveined)); 1 tsp sesame oil; 1 tsp salt ((1/2 teaspoon to marinade and 1/2 teaspoon to end of dish)); 1 egg whites; 1 tsp cornstarch; 1 tbsp canola oil (or oil of choice); 1 inch ginger (fresh peeled and grated); 2 cloves garlic (peeled and minced); 2 tbsp rice wine (shao xing (or can exchange with cooking sherry)); 2 stems water bamboo (wild rice stem 茭白) (peeled and diced (can sub out with canned bamboo shoots or water chestnuts)); 1/2 cup peas; white pepper (to taste); 2 cups rice - 2 cups cooked ((white or brown whatever you prefer) - optional or cauliflower rice to keep it low carb.)

Time to get back in a Healthy Eating Routine

There is so much hype at this time of year about the big Thanksgiving feast but what are you going eat the other 364 days of the year? If you eat too many turkey leftovers, you are going to start clucking. My goodness that might be a tad bit embarrassing! Well lucky for you, I have a couple of quick and easy healthy dinners coming your way that will keep you on track for mindful eating.

Shrimp and Water Bamboo-Healthy World Cuisine

Why you are going to love our Shrimp and Wild Rice Stem (茭白) Stir Fry

Wild rice stem is also called water bamboo and Jiao bai (茭白). Water bamboo stir fry can be on the table in less than 30 minutes and that includes a bit of chopping and steaming your rice. It has loads of warming ginger and antioxidant garlic to keep you healthy during the cold and flu season.

I used fresh water bamboo because, after all, I do live in Hong Kong. However, you could substitute with some canned crisp water chestnuts, canned bamboo shoots or whatever vegetables you have in your refrigerator or even frozen veggies. The beauty of this dish is that you can have everything you need on hand and it can be made in a flash.

However, probably the number one reason you may want to make our Shrimp and Wild Rice Stem (茭白) Stir Fry is maybe you over did it a little bit during the holidays and need to get back on the healthy eating bandwagon. If you are looking to get rid of the carbs, just skip the rice and add more mixed vegetables. This Chinese stir fry is gluten-free and dairy-free and is a snap to throw together.

Wild rice stems raw and whole on a bamboo cutting board.

What's the difference between Bamboo and Wild Rice Stem?

Regular bamboo is tough and hard and requires you to boil it first to take away any toxins before the regular cooking process. Click here to read my post on Star Anise Braised Bamboo Shoots. Wild Rice Stem (water bamboo) is soft, delicate and slightly sweet. Wild Rice Stem does not need to be boiled as it does not have any toxins.

Wild Rice Stem is actually called Jiāo Bái (茭白) or also known as water bamboo here in China but it really does look like a baby bamboo and it grows in the waters of southern China and other Asian countries.Wild Rice Stem (water bamboo) is very cooling so that is why I like to pair this with a nice warming ginger sauce to balance the yin and the yang. Water bamboo clears heat, produces body fluids, promotes urination, reduces dampness, induces bowel movements. However as amusing as it might be, water bamboo is a great cure for hangover as it clears the liver and reduces red eyes so it has that going for it as well. Bring on the Shrimp and Wild Rice Stem (茭白) Stir Fry recipe!

I used fresh water bamboo as really, why not? I live in Asia and when I find things fresh in the market, I have to get them when they are in season. The season for wild rice stem is early fall and is delicious in this Shrimp and Wild Rice Stem (茭白) Stir Fry.

This time of the year can be hectic. I completely understand. Society and culture put so many pressures on us to do these special things around the holiday season and it causes a lot of un-wanted stress. You know the crazy thing as soon as I left the States, I stopped feeling this pressure. The only traditional things we do around the holiday are the ones our immediate family wants to do to continue on with the tradition. Nothing more and nothing less. Be good to yourself during this holiday season and take care of yourself!

My dear friend, Lynn Li, was the first person to introduce me to wild rice stem (茭白) and this is her recipe with a couple of modifications.

More Delicious Easy and Low Carb Chinese Stir Fries