Ingredients

2 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil for stir-frying

2 teaspoons minced garlic

1/4 teaspoon chili paste, or to taste

1/2 teaspoon salt, or according to taste

10 ounces (approximately) fresh spinach, rinsed and dried (I used baby spinach)

1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon Asian sesame oil

Black pepper to taste, optional

Preparation

Have all the ingredients at hand near the stove. Preheat the wok and add oil, swirling so that it comes about halfway up the sides of the wok. When the oil is hot, add the minced garlic, chili paste, and salt. Stir for a few seconds until the garlic is aromatic.

Add the spinach, stir for 1 to 2 minutes, until the leaves are almost wilted. Stir in the sugar and Asian sesame oil. (Note: if you don’t already have the sugar and sesame oil measured out, move the wok to a cold burner while you do so, and then return it to the heated burner). Sprinkle the spinach with a bit of black pepper if desired. Serve immediately.