Goji berries are a Himalayan superfood used for 6,000 years by herbalists in China, Tibet and India to safeguard the liver, prevent macular degeneration, improve sexual function and fertility, boost the immune system, increase circulation, and promote a long and happy life. These lofty health claims are rooted in facts. These sweet/tart berries are rich in antioxidants, particularly the carotenoids beta-carotene and zeaxanthin. Zeaxanthin helps protect your eye’s retina by absorbing blue light and may decrease the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in people over 65.
Also known as wolf berries, goji berries are my new favorite ingredient to add to salads (a great addition to my Sweet Sesame Raw Kale Salad), smoothies, and stir-frys. Speaking of, I recently tried them in a Soba Noodle Stir-Fry featuring sirloin strips, shiitake mushrooms, green swiss chard and carrots. They provided a delicious tangy, sweet surprise to an otherwise straight foreword stir-fry.
What You’ll Need:
- 6 oz buckwheat soba noodles
- 1 tbs grapeseed oil
- 1 cup green onions (thinly sliced)
- 6 oz sirloin steak (cut into thin strips – against the grain)
- 2 cups shiitake mushroom caps (sliced)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 cups green swiss chard (washed)
- 2 tbs rice vinegar
- 1 tbs fresh lime juice
- 3 tbs low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbs peeled fresh ginger (grated)
- 1 tbs Frank’s Red Hot sauce (or Sriracha)
- 1 tbs sesame oil (separate from first)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tsps toasted sesame seeds
How to Make It:
- Cook noodles according to package directions (no need for salt or oil here). Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Combine rice vinegar, lime juice, soy sauce, fresh ginger, and Frank’s Red Hot in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Set aside.
- Heat grapeseed oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add onions and stir-fry 1 min. Add carrots and stir-fry another 2 min. Add mushrooms and garlic, stir-fry 1 minute. Add swiss chard and stir-fry 2-3 min until greens wilt.
- Move veggies to the periphery of the pan. Season your sirloin strips with a little salt and pepper then add them to the center of the skillet. Cook for 2 min (sliced thin, your sirloin will cook fast over high heat so be careful not to overdo it).
- Add vinegar mixture to steak mixture, cooking and stirring constantly for 1 min. Stir in noodles, sesame oil, and salt; cook for 1-2 min until noodles are thoroughly heated. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve immediately.