Beef Stir Fry

My husband loves it when I make this dish, which is super fast to make and tastes so very good. It is also a nice change of pace from the standard chicken fare.

Ingredients:
One pound beef for stir frying (we like this flank steak for this recipe)
2-3 cups assorted chopped vegetables such as zucchini, onions, spinach, mushrooms, onion, pepper, baby corn, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, carrots, yellow squash, etc.
About 1 teaspoon Chinese 5-spice seasoning
About 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Black pepper
Soy sauce, naturally fermented, to taste (about 2-3 tbsp at least...), try this
Rice wine vinegar, about 1-2 tsp (start with less), to taste
Sesame oil
1-2 tbsp Grade B maple syrup (optional)
If you would like a thicker sauce:
1/4 cup cool broth or cool water or soy sauce (or a combination)
Abt 4 tsp arrowroot powder
**Combine in a little glass and add at the end.

How To:
1. In a saute pan (cast iron or stainless steel), over medium heat, cook beef in sesame oil until browned. Season with soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, garlic powder, ground black pepper, and 5-spice powder. You should have a decent amount of liquid in the pan, but if not, don't worry about it. We'll add some in the following steps.

2. While the beef is cooking, chop and prep the vegetables, add them to the pan, and season with more soy sauce. If you don't have much liquid in the pan (and you would like more of a sauce), add a little beef stock (or chicken stock or water with a little more soy sauce).

3. Saute and adjust seasonings, as needed, until vegetables are crisp cooked--about 5 minutes. Drizzle with maple syrup, if using, and stir to combine. If you want to thicken the sauce, slowly add the broth/arrowroot mixture (described above) and gently stir. You should notice the sauce getting a little thicker after stirring a bit.

4. Serve over rice or soba noodles.

 

Comments:
If using bean sprouts, add at the very end, after making broth. All canned items should be rinsed before adding. Try serving over brown rice, we make two cups and usually have a little rice left over, or soba noodles. This serves 4-6 people.

This is very, very good! Easy to make other than lots of chopping going on. Probably takes about 20-30 minutes total. Super fast! Also, this is a great article from the Nourishing Gourmet that will help you select a good soy sauce.