Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients Before you start cooking, get everything ready. Wash and slice your bell pepper, broccoli, and snap peas. Mince the garlic and ginger. Having everything prepped makes the cooking process smooth and quick.
Step 2: Heat the Oil In a large skillet or a wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it's shimmering. You want it hot enough to sear the shrimp quickly.
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the hot skillet in a single layer. Season them lightly with salt and pepper. Cook for about 2-3 minutes per side, just until they turn pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become tough. Remove the cooked shrimp from the skillet and set them aside.
Step 4: Stir Fry the Vegetables Using the same skillet, add the minced garlic and ginger. Sauté for about 30 seconds until they become fragrant. Then, add the sliced bell pepper, broccoli, and snap peas. Stir fry for 3-5 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender-crisp, maintaining a slight bite.
Step 5: Combine and Sauce Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet with the stir-fried vegetables. Pour in the soy sauce and, if using, the oyster sauce. Stir everything well to ensure all the shrimp and veggies are beautifully coated in the flavorful sauce.
Step 6: Thicken the Sauce Give your cornstarch and water mixture a quick stir, then add it to the skillet. Stir constantly for about 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. This creates that wonderful glossy finish you expect from a great stir fry.
Step 7: Serve Your Masterpiece Serve your piping hot shrimp stir fry immediately over a bed of fluffy cooked rice. For an extra touch, garnish with sesame seeds or thinly sliced green onions.