Who can resist the tender-crisp vegetables and remarkably fresh flavors of Thai food stir fries? With these two recipes, you can make restaurant-style stir fries in your own kitchen. You'll have best results if you make these dishes in a stainless steel wok, but you can use a large skillet in a pinch.

Thai Chili Basil Stir Fry

Made with Thai chili sauce, this dish is quite spicy. You can tone down the heat by adding less of the chili sauce, but don't leave it out completely as its flavor is an essential component of the dish. The recipe makes enough for 2 people. You'll need the following:

• 1 cup sliced chicken, beef, or pork
• 1/2 cup fresh green beans
• 1/2 cup scallions, sliced
• 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 cup sliced summer squash or zucchini
• 2 tablespoons wok oil
• 3 tablespoons Thai sweet chili sauce
• 1 tablespoon fresh basil leaves, minced
• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Heat the wok oil in the pan. Add the meat to the pan, and stir fry for 1 - 2 minutes. Push the meat towards the sides of the pan, and add the vegetables. Stir fry for an additional 3 - 4 minutes, or until the vegetables are crisp tender. Add the remaining ingredients, except for the sesame oil, and stir fry briefly until the basil wilts. Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the sesame oil, and serve.

Thai Lemongrass and Garlic Stir Fry

Garlic lovers will find this dish to be a true indulgence. If you do not like shrimp, feel free to substitute chicken, beef or pork. You'll need to stir fry it for an extra minute or two to ensure it is done. This recipe makes enough for 2 and requires:

• 1 pound small shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 can bamboo shoots, drained
• 1 cup fresh snow peas
• 1/2 cup carrots, sliced very thinly
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons wok oil
• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespoon lemongrass, minced
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Heat the wok oil in the pan. Add the garlic and shrimp, stir frying briefly. Push the shrimp towards the edge of the pan, and add the carrots to the center of the pan. Stir fry for 1 minute, and then add the remaining vegetables, along with the lemongrass. Stir fry for two more minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the remaining ingredients, and serve.