Why it works: Celery and cabbage are a kitchen classic. They rank in the top 6% of all ingredient pairs, and cooks put them together in 1,840 recipes. Both carry 4'-methylacetophenone, which smells bitter almond. The science ↓
Asian Veggies
Ingredients
Directions
Heat the oil in a large frying pan or wok.
Add the onions and celery and stir-fry for 2–3 minutes. If the pan dries out, add a little water.
Add the Bok Choy and the five-spice, then stir-fry over a high heat for 2–3 minutes, stirring continuously.
Serve immediately.
Nutrition, whole recipe (rough)
What these numbers assume: 4 portions
| Ingredient | Portion assumed | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Olive Oil | 1 tbsp (14g) | 119 |
| Onion | 1 medium (110g) | 44 |
| Chinese Cabbage | 1 cup shredded (89g) | 22 |
| Celery | 1 stalk (40g) | 6 |
One typical portion per ingredient; the recipe's quantities are not counted. A rough guide only, not for medical or dietary planning.
Steps grouped into stages for easier reading; the method is the source's own.
Explore the science
The flavor team
The pairs that carry this dish. Each one is judged two ways: how much their aromas overlap, and how often cooks already put them together.
-
Celery + cabbagetop 6% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together1,840 recipes
Shared aroma: 4'-methylacetophenone (bitter almond).
-
Onion + celerytop 7% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together18,518 recipes
Shared aroma: guaiacol (smoky, sweet).
-
Onion + cabbagetop 7% of all pairsSmell alikestrongCooked together3,001 recipes
Shared aroma: 2-isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine (earthy, pea).
Ranks compare each pair with 20,000 random ingredient pairs on CompKitchen. How we score pairs
What each ingredient does
- Onions
- Softened by cooking, they add sweetness and a mellow savoury base.
- Celery
- Chunky diagonal pieces keep some crunch and texture after brief stir-frying.
- Chinese cabbage
- Its leaves wilt as they cook, releasing moisture and becoming tender.
- Oil
- Conducts heat in the hot pan and keeps the vegetables from sticking.
- Chinese 5-spice powder
- Adds warm, aromatic flavour as it heats in the oil.
The step that matters
Stir-fry over high heat, stirring continuously. High heat and constant movement cook the vegetables quickly so they stay crisp-tender and lightly browned. Lingering too long lets them release water and turn soft and dull.
Swap the onion
How well each one fits the dish's main ingredients (celery, cabbage):
- Turnipfits better
- Mustardfits better
- Carrotfits better
- Onionthe original
Fit is the average pairing score against celery, cabbage. Candidates are from the same food group and used in at least 100 recipes.
“What each ingredient does” and “The step that matters” were written by Claude from this recipe’s own method and reviewed in samples by CompKitchen.
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