Prepare Your Ingredients:
Start by washing and drying your ingredients.
Cut vegetables into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking.
For meats and seafood, trim any excess fat or remove the skin, pat them dry with a paper towel to promote browning.
For Tofu, press it first to remove excess moisture.
Preheat the Pan:
Place your sauté pan on the stove over medium-high heat.
Let it heat up for a few minutes until it's hot but not smoking.
You can test the heat by sprinkling a few drops of water onto the pan.
If the water sizzles and evaporates immediately, the pan is ready.
Add Oil or Fat:
Once the pan is hot, add a small amount of oil or fat.
The oil should be able to coat the bottom of the pan evenly, but not so much that it pools.
Use oils with high smoke points, such as canola, vegetable, or grapeseed oil.
Alternatively, you can use butter or clarified butter for added flavour.
Sauté the Ingredients:
Add your prepared ingredients to the pan in a single layer.
Do not overcrowd the pan, as this will result in steaming instead of sautéing.
Allow the ingredients to cook undisturbed for a few minutes to develop a nice sear and caramelisation.
Use your spatula or tongs to toss and flip the ingredients, ensuring that they cook evenly from all sides.
Continue sautéing until the ingredients are cooked to your desired level of doneness.
Season and Serve:
Once your ingredients are cooked, season them with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices or herbs.
Give everything a final toss or stir to distribute the seasoning evenly.
Remove the pan from the heat and transfer the sautéed ingredients to a serving dish.
Be sure to serve your sautéed dish immediately to enjoy it at its best.