Here’s a stir-fry beef recipe, sorta. It’s become one of my favorite go-to meals. The sorta part reflects that I haven’t measured anything any time I’ve made it so it’s not an official Cooking2Thrive recipe…yet.
I’ll guess the measurements for you below, but this is really a recipe for those who don’t measure anything. Don’t worry, this is not our usual method. We painstakingly test Cooking2Thrive recipes.
If you’re afraid to play in the kitchen, this is a great chance to do that. Summon all that muscle memory from times you’ve seasoned dishes using a recipe. Remember how it looked. Remember how it smelled. Duplicate that. Or sprinkle salt like you’ve seen a chef do on TV. Be sure to add a flourish just for fun.
Also, find a happy apron to wear, or one that makes a statement! Not only will a fun apron keep your clothes safe, it can put you in a more playful mood.
Some other small tips before you start…When in doubt, under salt. You can always add more. In general, use half as much black pepper as you do salt. Be generous with garlic powder.
Ingredients:
- One broccoli crown or bunch or two if they’re small
- Olive oil (about 2 tbsp)
- 4 -5 cloves of fresh garlic, peeled
- Salt (1/4 – 1/2 tsp)
- Black pepper (1/8 – 1/4 tsp)
- Chinese five spice (1/4 tsp)
- Toasted sesame oil (1 – 2 tsp)
- 1 lb. sirloin tender steaks
- Garlic powder (1/2 tsp)
- Hoisin sauce (1 – 2 tbsp)
Clean and slice the broccoli into medium-thin slices. I remove the large stems, but you can include them. Just remember they won’t soften as quickly so you may want to cut them thinner and smaller than the other pieces. Trim the ends of the garlic and cut each clove in half.
Heat oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add broccoli to hot oil. After a minute or two, add the fresh garlic. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and a pinch of Chinese five spice. Don’t stir the broccoli until it begins to brown on one side.
While broccoli is cooking, season the steak with garlic powder, salt, Chinese five spice, and pepper on both sides. Cute into cubes.
Continue cooking broccoli until it begins to soften. Move broccoli to the outer edges of the pan. Pour sesame oil into the center of the pan. Once hot, add the steak. Cook, stirring only the steak until it nears desired doneness. Mix broccoli and steak together. Stir in hoisin sauce. Continue to cook until steak is done. Serve hot over sticky rice or on its own.
If you don’t love hoisin sauce, you can leave it out or serve it on the side. Gluten-free versions are easy to find. I like the dish with it and without. For a little extra heat, you might want to leave out the hoisin and add some chili garlic sauce.
Any time you’re playing in the kitchen, many variations can work. Chicken and broccoli with fresh ginger and onion in place of the Chinese five spice and hoisin sauce can be delicious. Trying new combinations is all part of the fun!
Beef with broccoli is a fast dish to prepare so I often make it when I don’t have a lot of time. If I don’t want to wait for long-cooking rice, I sometimes use quick-cooking but I’ve also been known to use microwaveable sticky rice that’s ready in 90 seconds.
Fast, delicious, and only a sorta recipe needed! Enjoy the stir-fry.