Beef with Broccoli
Marinated beef is stir-fried and then mixed with stir-fried vegetables - the whole is covered with a thick brown sauce or gravy that includes oyster sauce. The secret to this recipe is cooking the beef in 1 cup of oil to seal in the juices, and blanching the broccoli in water to make it crisp and tender. For a more authentic touch, try using Chinese broccoli, which has an appearance and taste similar to asparagus.
Note: To ensure tender beef, cut the meat across the grain and fry briefly. A minute or two is all it takes.
Also see How to Make Crispy Beef
Beef with Broccoli
from http://chinesefood.about.com
Williams Sonoma has a recipe that is very similar, but they first stir-fry 2 garlic cloves, 2 slices fresh ginger, smashed with the side of a knife, and 1 small yellow onion, cut into 1-inch dice. 1 Tbs. Chinese rice wine (can sub dry sherry) is added to the sauce.
3/4 pound lean beef
Marinade:
1 tablespoon rice vinegar (substitute rice wine if desired)
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Sauce:
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
1 tablespoon water
Thickener:
1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water
1 pound fresh broccoli
2 garlic cloves
To Cook Broccoli:
1/2 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon sugar, or to taste
Other:
1 1/4 cups oil, as needed (for frying the beef and sauteing the vegetables)
Cut the beef across the grain into thin slices. Add the marinade ingredients, adding the cornstarch last (use your fingers to rub it in). Marinate the beef for 30 minutes.
While the beef is marinating, prepare the sauce and vegetables: for the sauce, mix together the oyster sauce, light soy, dark soy, and water in a small bowl and set aside.
In another small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water thickener and set aside.
Wash and drain the broccoli. Cut the stalk diagonally into thin slices. Cut the flowerets into 3 or 4 pieces. Crush the garlic.
Heat the wok and add 1 cup oil. When the oil is medium-hot (between 300 and 325 degrees F.), add the beef. Blanch the beef by letting it lay flat for 30 - 40 seconds, and then stirring to separate the pieces. Remove the beef when it changes color and is nearly cooked (the entire process takes 1 - 2 minutes). Do not over cook the beef. Remove the beef from the wok and drain on paper towels.
Clean out the wok with paper towels. Add 2 tablespoons oil to the wok. When the oil is hot, add the crushed garlic and stir fry briefly until aromatic. Add the broccoli, sprinkle the salt and sugar over, and stir fry briefly, turning down the heat if necessary to make sure it doesn't burn. Add the 1/2 cup water, and cook the broccoli, covered, for 4 - 5 minutes, until it turns a bright green and is tender but still crisp. Remove from the wok and drain.
Clean out the wok and add 2 more tablespoons oil. Add the broccoli and the beef. Add the sauce and cornstarch mixture in the middle of the wok and stir quickly to thicken. Mix everything together and serve hot over steamed rice.
Chinese-American Beef and Broccoli With Oyster Sauce
from https://www.seriouseats.com/
Cooking over high heat ensures the meat and vegetables get a strong sear on the outside without overcooking in the middle.
A brief marinade seasons the beef ahead of cooking.
1 pound flank steak, skirt steak, hanger steak, or flap meat, cut into 1/4-inch thick strips
1/4 cup soy sauce (divided)
1/4 cup Shaoxing wine or dry sherry (divided)
2 teaspoons corn starch
1/3 cup low-sodium homemade or store-bought chicken stock
1/4 cup oyster sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon sesame seed oil
2 medium cloves garlic, finely minced (about 2 teaspoons)
2 teaspoons finely minced fresh ginger
3 scallions, whites finely sliced, greens cut into 1/2-inch segments, reserved separately
4 tablespoons vegetable, peanut, or canola oil
1 pound broccoli florets (about 1 1/2 quarts)
In a bowl, combine beef, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine and toss to coat. Place in refrigerator and let marinate for at least 20 minutes and up to 3 hours.
Meanwhile, combine remaining soy sauce with cornstarch and stir with a fork to form a slurry. Add remaining Shaoxing wine, chicken stock, oyster sauce, sugar, and sesame oil. Set aside. Combine garlic, ginger, and scallion whites in a bowl and set aside.
To Cook On A Burner: When ready to cook, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a wok over high heat until smoking. Add half of beef and cook without moving until well seared, about 1 minute. Continue cooking while stirring and tossing until lightly cooked but still pink in spots, about 1 minute. Transfer to a large bowl. Repeat with 1 more tablespoon of oil and remaining beef, adding beef to same bowl. Wipe out wok.
Add 1 more tablespoon oil to wok and heat over high heat until smoking. Add half of broccoli and cook until crisp-tender and lightly charred, about 1 minute. Transfer to bowl with beef. Repeat with remaining oil and remaining broccoli. Return wok to high heat until smoking. Return beef and broccoli to wok and add garlic/ginger/scallion mixture. Cook, tossing and stirring until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add sauce and scallion greens and cook, tossing and stirring constantly until lightly thickened, about 45 seconds longer. Carefully transfer to a serving platter and serve.
4 servings
