---
title: "Stir-Fried Cauliflower (清炒花菜)"
description: "A common home-style vegetable dish with a crisp and refreshing texture. Rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber. Simple and quick to make — a beginner can usually finish it in just 15 minutes."
image: "https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/ai-generated/vegetable_dish_qing-chao-hua-cai.jpg"
url: "https://cookbook.cn-trending.com/r/vegetable_dish_qing-chao-hua-cai/"
---

# Stir-Fried Cauliflower

**清炒花菜 · qīng chǎo huā cài**

> Time: 15 min · Difficulty: Easy · Calories: 211 kcal · Serves: 1 serving · Category: [Vegetables](https://cookbook.cn-trending.com/c/vegetable_dish/) (素菜)

A common home-style vegetable dish with a crisp and refreshing texture. Rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber. Simple and quick to make — a beginner can usually finish it in just 15 minutes.

![](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/ai-generated/vegetable_dish_qing-chao-hua-cai.jpg)

## Ingredients

- 300 g (about 1/2 medium-sized) Cauliflower (花菜) — per serving
  - Tip: Choose cauliflower with tight, compact florets, a clean white color, and no black spots.
- 2-3 cloves Garlic (大蒜) — per serving
  - Tip: Choose plump garlic cloves with no sprouting.
- 3 g Salt (盐) — per serving
- 15 ml Cooking oil (食用油) — per serving
- 50 ml Drinking water (饮用水) — per serving
  - Tip: Used for steaming during the stir-frying process.

## Tools

Wok, Cleaver / chef's knife, Cutting board, Slotted spoon

## Method (11 steps)

1. **Prep the Ingredients** — Wash the cauliflower, then break it into small florets using a cleaver / chef's knife or your hands. Slice the thick stems if needed, and set aside.
   - Duration: 2 min
   - Tip: Breaking the cauliflower into small florets helps it absorb flavor and cook through more easily.
   ![Step 1: Prep the Ingredients](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/steps/vegetable_dish_qing-chao-hua-cai/step_1.jpg)
2. **Prep the Aromatics** — Peel the garlic and slice it into thin slices. Set aside.
   - Duration: 1 min
   ![Step 2: Prep the Aromatics](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/steps/vegetable_dish_qing-chao-hua-cai/step_2.jpg)
3. **Boil Water** — Add 1000 ml drinking water to the wok and bring to a boil over high heat.
   - Duration: 5 min
   ![Step 3: Boil Water](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/steps/vegetable_dish_qing-chao-hua-cai/step_3.jpg)
4. **Blanch** — Add the cauliflower florets and blanch for 2–3 minutes, until the color lightens and the texture softens slightly.
   - Duration: 3 min
   - Tip: Blanching shortens the stir-frying time later.
   ![Step 4: Blanch](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/steps/vegetable_dish_qing-chao-hua-cai/step_4.jpg)
5. **Drain** — Remove the blanched cauliflower and drain thoroughly. Set aside.
   - Duration: 30 sec
   - Tip: Draining thoroughly prevents oil splatter during stir-frying.
   ![Step 5: Drain](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/steps/vegetable_dish_qing-chao-hua-cai/step_5.jpg)
6. **Heat the Oil** — Heat the wok, add 15 ml cooking oil, and heat over high heat.
   - Duration: 1 min
   ![Step 6: Heat the Oil](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/steps/vegetable_dish_qing-chao-hua-cai/step_6.jpg)
7. **Sauté the Garlic** — Add the garlic slices and quickly sauté until fragrant.
   - Duration: 20 sec
   - Tip: Be careful not to burn the garlic slices.
   ![Step 7: Sauté the Garlic](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/steps/vegetable_dish_qing-chao-hua-cai/step_7.jpg)
8. **Stir-Fry** — Add the blanched cauliflower florets, turn to medium-high heat, and quickly stir-fry for about 2 minutes to heat the cauliflower evenly.
   - Duration: 2 min
   - Tip: Keep the heat high and stir-fry quickly to maintain a crisp, tender texture.
   ![Step 8: Stir-Fry](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/steps/vegetable_dish_qing-chao-hua-cai/step_8.jpg)
9. **Season** — Add 3g salt and continue stir-frying until evenly coated.
   - Duration: 20 sec
   ![Step 9: Season](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/steps/vegetable_dish_qing-chao-hua-cai/step_9.jpg)
10. **Steam** — Pour 50 ml drinking water along the edge of the wok, cover with a lid, and steam for 1 minute to help the cauliflower cook through and absorb flavor.
   - Duration: 1 min
   - Tip: Pouring water along the edge of the wok creates steam for more even heating.
   ![Step 10: Steam](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/steps/vegetable_dish_qing-chao-hua-cai/step_10.jpg)
11. **Finish and Serve** — Remove the lid, give it a quick stir to combine, and serve.
   - Duration: 30 sec
   ![Step 11: Finish and Serve](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/steps/vegetable_dish_qing-chao-hua-cai/step_11.jpg)

## Tips

- Blanching the cauliflower ahead of time shortens the stir-frying time and helps it cook through more easily.
- Adjust the stir-frying time to your preferred texture. For a crunchier result, shorten the time.

## Overview image

![Stir-Fried Cauliflower — ingredients and steps overview](https://media.githubusercontent.com/media/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend/dataset/images/overview/vegetable_dish_qing-chao-hua-cai_overview.jpg)

## Source

Recipe text from [HowToCook](https://github.com/Anduin2017/HowToCook), structured by [Vibe Cook](https://github.com/zkeq/vibe-cook-backend). Public domain (Unlicense).

Original: https://github.com/Anduin2017/HowToCook/blob/master/dishes/vegetable_dish/清炒花菜.md

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---

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