Beef and Broccoli

Ingredients (Serves 3)

1. Steak (sirloin, flank or skirt) – 1 pound, thinly sliced

2. Corn starch – 1 tbsp

Baking soda – 1/8 tsp (helps tenderize beef)

Soy sauce – 2 tsp

Salt and pepper – A tiny pinch of each (The sauces are salty, so do not use more than a pinch of salt)

Toasted sesame oil / vegetable oil – 1 tsp

3. Broccoli – 1.5 cups, cut into medium  florets

4. Peanut oil / vegetable oil – 1.5 tbsp

Dried red chilies – 3 – 4, broken

5. Ginger and garlic – 1 tsp each, minced

6. Chicken stock – 1 tbsp (optional)

Chinese cooking wine – 2 tsp

Soy sauce (dark + regular) – 2 tsp

Oyster sauce – 1.5 – 2 tbsp

Sugar – 1/4 tsp or as required to balance the flavors

Pepper powder – 1 pinch

7. Corn starch – 1/2 tsp dissolved in in 1 tbsp water

8. Toasted Sesame oil – 1 tsp

9. Salt – 1 tiny pinch, Add only if required

Method

1. Combine beef with ingredients numbered 2. Set aside for 10 minutes.

2. In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients numbered 6.

3. Blanch the broccoli florets – Boil water in a vessel. Add broccoli florets to hot water. Drain it after 1 minute (do not overcook, broccoli should stay green and crunchy) and set aside.

4. Heat 1.5 tbsp oil in a wok/pan and add broken dried red chilies. Stir-fry until smoky brown and remove to a bowl. Add marinated beef pieces and spread on the pan. Sear for a minute and flip over to the other side. Add ginger, garlic and then stir-fry until cooked through, about 1 – 2 minutes.

5. Add the combined sauces and corn starch in water. Mix well. Add dried red chilies and broccoli. Stir-fry for 1 – 2 minutes over high heat. Taste-check for salt. Add a tsp of toasted sesame oil (optional) and toss well. Serve immediately with cooked rice or noodles. It tastes just like take out..enjoy!!