Egg Roll in a Bowl

This low carb meal takes some prep work, but once that's done, it cooks in 10 minutes or less. The five-spice powder is a must-add ingredient. Making fresh five-spice powder (recipe below) is even better.

1/2 Tbsp oil (olive, canola, or coconut all work)
4 cups cabbage, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, chopped or slivered
1 red pepper, chopped
2  large cloves garlic, minced
2 generous tsp. chopped ginger root
3 (about a 1/2 cup) green onions (with tops), sliced
4 oz. or more whole mushrooms (sliced) - (optional)
1 can water chestnuts, diced
1 pound or more cooked pork loin, chicken, or beef, thinly sliced
fresh bean spouts, rinsed and drained (optional)
1 large handful cilantro, chopped

Sauce
2 Tbsp soy sauce
2 tsp rice wine vinegar
4 tsp dry sherry
2 tsp toasted sesame oil
1-2 tsp five-spice powder (see recipe below)
pinch red pepper flakes (add sparingly unless you like it spicy)
1- 2 tsp cornstarch
kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper

Mix all sauce ingredients into a bowl and set aside.

Five Spice Powder
1/2 tsp each - whole cloves, whole fennel seed, whole star anise, whole peppercorns, whole or ground cinnamon) - place whole spices in a coffee grinder or spice grinder until well crushed. Save leftover spice for another day

Instructions
1. Add oil to a wok or large non-stick skillet. Heat until it shimmers (be sure to turn on your stove vent)
2. Add cabbage, onion, and red bell pepper. Stir fry until veggies begin to soften (about 2-3 minutes). 3. Add garlic and ginger, green onions, mushrooms and water chestnuts. Cook until veggies are to your likeness (at least 2 minutes longer).
4. Add the sliced, cooked meat and stir until meat is hot.
5. Add the sauce and toss together thoroughly. Cook an additional minute.
6. Add bean sprouts, if using and remove from heat. Stir well and place into a serving bowl.
7. Top with cilantro and serve.
8. For additional heat, top with Sambal Oelek or Siracha sauce.

This dish is great without any accompaniments, but if you want some carbs, serve with fried rice or top with crunchy chow mein noodles.

Smells and tastes amazing!