Pot Stickers are readily available, whether from Costco, your local Asian Market or even, as in my case, a grocery outlet (believe it or not). You can make your own, which I’ve done (see RasaMalaysia recipe. It’s the best!). Not hard and very delicious, but if you have good quality frozen, give it a try. Saves time and money, yet still allows for a rather healthy, yet fun side dish. Pair pot stickers with a nice, fresh stir fry and you’ll never eat fast food chinese again. You can bet on that!

Beef Stir Fry:

1 lb beef, cut into thin strips (breakfast steaks are good and cheap) – $2.94
2 tsp fresh grated ginger (or prepared ginger, grated and bottled) – $.40
1 Bell Pepper (we used orange), sliced – $.88
1 cup baby carrots, sliced long ways – $.50
1/4 cup green onion, chopped – $.20
1/2 lbs fresh mushroom, cleaned and sliced – $.50
1 Tbsp Garlic, minced – pantry
1 tsp Srirachi chili sauce (to taste, depending on your desire for spicy or not) – pantry/fridge
1 tsp rice wine vinegar – pantry
1 Tbsp Soy or Shoyu sauce – pantry
2 Tbsp Canola oil – pantry
3 Tbsp water or beef broth

COST: $5.42

Mix broth, garlic, shoyu/soy sauce, vinegar, ginger and Srirachi (optional) in medium bowl. Add beef and marinate for an hour or so.  Mixing occasionally.

Heat oil in skillet or wok to medium-high heat. Wok is best, if you have one. Mine is a cheapy from IKEA, but you know, it works great!

Add marinated pork, but not the juice from marinade. Set that aside. Stir fry beef until lightly brown, but not cooked through. About 2 mins. Toss in carrots and continue frying for 1 to 2 more minutes.  Add sliced bell pepper and mushroom and rest of leftover marinade. Cooking for 2-3 more minute, on high. Serve hot over white rice. Garnish with green onion.

Fried Pot Stickers:

1/2 package prepared Pot Stickers (Frozen) – $3
1/4 cup Canola oil with 1 tsp Sesame oil for flavor – pantry

COST: $3.00

Boil pot stickers for about 8-10 minutes, depending on size. Drain and set aside. Next, heat oil, canola first, then add sesame. Once hot, place drained/cooked pot stickers in pan, flat side down. Brown in hot oil, 2-3 mins. Serve immediately. Soy sauce with Srirachi makes a great dipping sauce.

GRAND TOTAL: $8.42 (Add Cooked Calrose Rice, $.50. Total: $8.92)