Broccoli Beef

*Post by Angela.

Broccoli beef, that staple of greasy Chinese take-out restaurants, is a dish I ordered probably hundreds of times throughout college and law school, yet for some reason had never attempted to make until recently. It's a very quick and basic dish that pretty much anyone can make well, especially using this simple recipe from Jaden Hair from Steamy Kitchen. I didn't do anything to change it, other than to "Ang" the garlic (tripled it).

List of ingredients:

• 2 tsp + 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 4 tsp dry sherry
• 1 tsp + 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 3/4 lb beef, sliced thin
• 4 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 2 tbsp corn oil (or any other type of high heat oil)
• 6 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 3/4 lb frozen broccoli florets (obviously, you can use fresh broccoli - we just had frozen sitting in our freezer already)

First, I made the marinade, mixing together 2 tsp soy sauce, 2 tsp dry sherry, 1 tsp cornstarch and the black pepper in a small bowl, until the cornstarch was dissolved. I also defrosted the broccoli.

I added the meat to the marinade, mixed it thoroughly and let it sit for about 10 minutes. In a small bowl, I mixed the remaining tbsp of cornstarch with a little over a tbsp of cold water to make a slurry, and, in a separate bowl, I mixed together the 4 tbsp of oyster sauce, the remaining 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tsp dry sherry and the chicken broth to make the broccoli beef sauce.

I got out my wok, heated it over high heat, then added the corn oil, swirling it around a bit. Then I added the meat and let it sit without messing with it, for 1 minute.

 

I added the garlic, flipped the meat and let it cook just 30 seconds more.

I poured in the sauce (if you are using fresh broccoli florets, you should throw them in here) and brought it up a boil, then poured in the cornstarch slurry. I cooked another 30 seconds until the sauce had thickened.

I took the wok off the heat, added the broccoli and mixed it all up until everything was covered with the sauce. I served it over white rice. This is yummy, easy, and so very cheap to make - I wish I had tried it earlier in life, as I could have saved tons of cash and time spent waiting for the delivery guy.

Comments

[KrisDub]

Nom! You didn't call me because why?

[Angela]

Hee! This was one of those last minute dinners, like "Oh! I have everything at home but the beef!" I would be happy to make it for you whenever you'd like!