Recipe: Stir-fried celery with peanuts and bacon is an ideal weeknight dish

"For me, a quick weeknight meal often relies on a stir-fry dish, a rice cooker steaming with long-grained white rice, and a simple dessert of fresh tangerines. If you want a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and substitute 2 tablespoons peanut oil or vegetable oil. Stir-Fried Celery with Peanuts and Bacon Yield: 4 servings INGREDIENTS 2 ounces thick-cut bacon, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch strips 1/2 cup salted roasted peanuts; see cook's notes"

"1. Place bacon in a large deep skillet, then place over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until bacon renders most of its fat and starts to curl up and turn golden brown, but is no where near crisp, about 5 minutes. Add peanuts, increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring frequently, until peanuts take on some color, about 2 minutes."

Thick-cut bacon is cooked until golden but not crisp, then peanuts are added and toasted briefly. Celery and green cabbage are tossed with a light seasoning of kosher salt and stir-fried until celery shows brown spots yet remains crunchy and cabbage retains bite. Soy sauce and seasoned rice vinegar are added and tossed to combine flavors. The recipe yields four servings and can be plated over a layer of cooked long-grained white rice with a judicious drizzle of Asian-style chili oil. A vegetarian option replaces bacon with two tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil. Belmont Bloody Mary Cocktail-Spiced Peanuts are recommended for added heat but regular salted peanuts work, and Asian-style chili oil can be substituted with favorite hot sauce.

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