Garlic Bok Choy
This is the pan I make when I want a green on the plate that is not steamed and pale. Bok choy is halved, the cut side hits a hot skillet, and it chars before the leaves wilt. Garlic goes in at the end so it smells sweet, not bitter. Feta, parsley, and sesame finish it, which is the white crumble and the green scatter in the photo. A little olive oil and lemon are the sauce. No heavy glaze.
Dry the cut side before it hits the pan. Wet bok choy steams and never takes the brown edge. Do not move it for the first 2 minutes. The char is the whole point. Garlic last, off a high flame, or it burns in the oil left in the pan. Feta after the heat, so it stays in crumbles instead of melting into the leaves.
It feeds four as a side. It is best the minute it comes off the pan. The leaves soften if it sits, and the char dulls.
Why You'll Love This
- Ready in 15 minutes.
- Looks like the photo: charred halves, garlic, feta, herbs.
- One skillet.
- A side that is not steamed.
Anti-Inflammatory & Mediterranean Recipes
Garlic Bok Choy
- Prep5 min
- Cook10 min
- Total15 min
- Servings4 servings
- Calories110 kcal
Ingredients
- Bok choy
- Finish
Instructions
- Pat the bok choy dry, especially the cut side. Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a wide skillet over medium-high.
- Lay the halves cut-side down. Cook 3 minutes without moving, until the cut face is deep gold. Flip and cook 1 minute, until the leaves wilt.
- Push the bok choy to the side. Add 1 tsp oil and the garlic. Stir 20 seconds, until it smells sweet. Spoon it over the bok choy. Add the lemon juice.
- Move to a plate. Scatter the feta, parsley, sesame, and chili flakes. Serve right away.
Notes & Tips
- Dry the cut side. That is the difference between char and steam.
- Do not crowd the pan. Two batches are better than one pale pan.
- Garlic last, heat lowered. Burnt garlic makes the whole plate bitter.
- Feta and parsley off the heat, so they stay bright.
- Nutrition: Per serving (2 halves). Estimate.
- Nutrition: Net carbohydrates: 3g
- Nutrition: WW estimate: 3 points on the current plan (oil and feta carry the points; bok choy is usually 0)
- Fridge: 2 days, covered. Reheat in a hot skillet so the cut side crisps again. The microwave softens it.
- Best the hour it is cooked. The char does not come back.
- Nutrition is an estimate from bok choy, olive oil, garlic, feta, and sesame.
- ## The Secret to the Char
- A dry cut side and a pan that is already hot. If you lay wet bok choy into warm oil, it steams and the face stays green. Pat it, wait until the oil shimmers, then leave it alone for 3 minutes. The brown edge in the photo is patience, not extra oil.
Variations & serving ideas
- No feta: finish with olive oil, lemon, and sesame only.
- No bok choy: halved romaine works the same way. Pull it 1 minute sooner.
- Spicier: add the chili flakes to the garlic, not only on top.
- No sesame: skip them. The plate still works.
- Dairy-free: skip the feta and add a pinch more salt.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving · makes 4 servings
| Nutrient | Amount per serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 110 kcal |
| Total fat | 9 g |
| Sodium | 280 mg |
| Total carbohydrate | 4 g |
| Fibre | 1 g |
| Protein | 4 g |
Nutrition values are approximate and vary with brands and portion sizes.
Frequently asked questions
What size bok choy works best?
Small heads, halved. Large heads should be quartered so the stem cooks before the leaves burn.
Can I make it ahead?
Sear it up to a day ahead and reheat in a hot pan. Add the feta and parsley when you serve it. They go dull overnight.
How do I make it a meal?
Add seared shrimp or sliced chicken on top, or a fried egg. The pan is already hot.
More questions about this recipe
How long does it take to make Garlic Bok Choy?
About 15 minutes in total: 5 minutes of prep and 10 minutes of cooking.
What ingredients do I need for Garlic Bok Choy?
The key ingredients include crumbled feta, garlic, parsley, chili flakes, lemon juice and bok choy. The recipe card lists every ingredient with exact amounts.
How many servings does this recipe make?
It makes 4 servings.
How many calories are in one serving?
According to the recipe's nutrition information, one serving has about 110 calories, 4 g protein, 4 g carbohydrates and 9 g fat.
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