Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions
Ingredients:
- For the Marinade:
- 1 lb (450g) flank steak (or any tender beef cut)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon rice wine (or dry sherry)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
- For the Stir-fry:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or sesame oil for extra flavor)
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, julienned (cut into strips)
- 1 green bell pepper, julienned
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1/2 cup beef broth (or water if you prefer)
- 1 tablespoon sugar (optional, but it adds a nice balance of flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for some heat)
- For Garnish (optional):
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions:
- Prepare the beef:
- Slice the flank steak thinly against the grain into strips, about 1/4 inch thick.
- In a bowl, mix the soy sauce, cornstarch, rice wine, and white pepper. Toss the beef strips in this marinade, making sure they are evenly coated. Let it sit for about 15 minutes.
- Make the sauce:
- In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, beef broth, and sugar. Set aside.
- Stir-fry the beef:
- Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once hot, add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil.
- Add the marinated beef to the pan in a single layer and stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes until it’s browned but still tender. Remove the beef from the pan and set aside.
- Cook the vegetables:
- In the same pan, add the remaining tablespoon of oil.
- Add the onions, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. Stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are just tender but still crisp.
- Add the minced garlic and ginger and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Combine everything:
- Return the cooked beef to the pan with the vegetables.
- Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and vegetables. Stir everything together and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats everything evenly.
- Finish and Serve:
- Taste and adjust seasoning, adding salt, pepper, or more soy sauce if needed.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
- Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.
Tips:
- For a bit of heat: If you like some spice, you can add sliced fresh chilies or a bit more red pepper flakes.
- Other veggies: You can also add other vegetables like mushrooms, snap peas, or carrots for added texture and flavor.
- Tenderizing beef: If you want extra tender beef, you can lightly pound the steak before slicing or use a meat tenderizer.