Introduction of Beef and
Broccoli Stir-Fry:
"Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry" is a
popular Chinese-American dish that features thinly sliced beef and broccoli
florets cooked together in a flavorful sauce. It's a quick and easy stir-fry
dish that combines tender crisp broccoli, beef, and a savory sauce. Here's a
basic recipe for "Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry":
Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
Ingredients:
·
1 lb (450g) Flank Steak or Sirloin, Thinly Sliced
·
Broccoli Florets
·
Vegetable Oil
·
Garlic 3 Cloves, Minced
· Ginger 1teaspoon, Grated
·
1/2 Cup Low-Sodium Soy Sauce
· Oyster Sauce 2 tablespoons
·
Brown Sugar
·
1 tablespoon Cornstarch
(Optional, For Thickening)
· Beef Broth 1/2 Cup or water
·
Sesame Oil (Optional, For Extra Flavor)
·
Cooked Rice, for Serving
How to Make Beef and
Broccoli Stir-Fry Instructions:
1. Prepare the Beef:
·
Slice the beef thinly
against the grain. This helps to ensure tenderness.
2. Make the Sauce:
·
In a small bowl, whisk
together oyster sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and cornstarch (if using). Add
beef broth or water and mix well. This will be your stir-fry sauce.
3. Cook the Broccoli:
·
Blanch the broccoli
florets in boiling water for about 2 minutes or until they are slightly tender
but still crisp. Drain and set aside.
4. Stir-Fry:
·
- Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and grated ginger, and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- ·
Add the sliced beef to the
wok and stir-fry until it's browned and cooked through. This usually takes 2-3
minutes.
5. Combine:
·
Add the blanched broccoli
to the wok with the beef and toss everything together.
6. Add Sauce:
·
Pour the prepared sauce
over the beef and broccoli. Stir to coat the ingredients evenly. Allow the
sauce to thicken slightly.
7. Finish:
·
If desired, drizzle a few
drops of sesame oil for extra flavor. Stir one final time to combine.
8. Serve:
·
Serve the Beef and
Broccoli over cooked rice.
This dish is versatile, and you can
customize it by adding other vegetables like bell peppers or carrots. It's a
delicious and satisfying stir-fry that's perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
FAQ
- Beef and Broccoli Sauce:
a.
The sauce is typically
made with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and brown sugar for a savory and slightly
sweet flavor.
- 2 Tenderizing Beef for Beef
Broccoli:
a.
Marinate the beef in a
mixture of soy sauce, oil, and a tenderizing agent like cornstarch or baking
soda.
- 3.
Making Beef Stir-Fry
Tender:
a.
Use thinly sliced, quality
cuts of beef and marinate with soy sauce or a tenderizing agent. Stir-fry
quickly over high heat to maintain tenderness.
- 4.
Boiling Broccoli for
Stir-Fry:
a.
It's common to blanch
broccoli briefly in boiling water (about 2 minutes) before stir-frying to
retain color and crispness.
- 5.
Boiling Broccoli Time
Before Stir-Fry:
a.
Blanch broccoli for
approximately 2 minutes in boiling water before stir-frying.
- 6.
Blanching Broccoli Before
Stir-Frying:
a.
Yes, blanching broccoli
briefly before stir-frying helps maintain its vibrant color and crisp texture.
- 7.
Secret Ingredient for Beef
Tenderness:
a.
The use of a tenderizing
agent like soy sauce, baking soda, or marinating in acidic ingredients can help
make beef tender.
- 8.
Secret Ingredient to
Tenderize Meat:
a.
Enzymatic ingredients like
pineapple or kiwi, or acidic marinades with vinegar or wine, can tenderize
meat.
- 9.
Liquid for Beef
Tenderization:
a.
Marinades containing
acids, such as vinegar or citrus juices, can help tenderize beef by breaking
down proteins.
- 10.
Thickening Beef and
Broccoli:
a.
Cornstarch is commonly
used to thicken the sauce in beef and broccoli stir-fry. Mix it with the sauce
and stir-fry until thickened.
- 11.
Cornstarch for Beef
Tenderizing:
a.
Yes, cornstarch is often
used in marinades to tenderize beef by breaking down proteins and adding a
velvety texture.
- 12.
Origin of Beef and
Broccoli:
a.
Beef and Broccoli is a
Chinese-American dish, not tied to a specific country in Asia. It is a popular
dish in Americanized Chinese cuisine.