Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

Method16 steps · about 35 min

1. 1

   Step 1: Thinly slice all the sirloin across the grain. Wash the broccoli (1 lb) and cut it into bite-size florets. Peel and very finely mince the two garlic cloves; hold the garlic separately for adding after the beef starts to sear.

   Uses 1 lb sirloin steak, sliced across the grain · 1 lb broccoli, washed and cut into florets · 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced

2. 2

   Step 2: Mix the marinade teaspoon of soy sauce (1 tsp), teaspoon of dry sherry (1 tsp) or Chinese rice cooking wine, half-teaspoon cornstarch (1/2 tsp) and eighth-teaspoon black pepper (1/8 teaspoon) in a medium bowl.

   Uses 1 tsp Soy Sauce · 1 tsp Dry sherry · 1/2 tsp Cornstarch · 1/8 teaspoon Black Pepper

3. 3

   Step 3: Add the sliced beef to the marinade and turn until coated. Let it stand for 10 minutes while preparing the sauce and broccoli.

   Marinate beef · 10 minUses All the prepared sliced sirloin · All the mixed marinade

4. 4

   Step 4: In a small bowl, dissolve the separate teaspoon of slurry cornstarch (1 tsp) in its tablespoon of water (1 tablespoon). Hold this slurry separately from the sauce; stir it again just before adding it to the wok.

   Uses 1 tsp Cornstarch · 1 tablespoon Water

5. 5

   Step 5: Mix the two tablespoons oyster sauce, sauce teaspoon of dry sherry (1 tsp) or Chinese rice cooking wine, sauce tablespoon of soy sauce (1 tablespoon) and quarter-cup chicken stock (1/4 cup) in another small bowl. Hold the sauce for step 14.

   Uses 2 tablespoons Oyster Sauce · 1 tsp Dry sherry · 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce · 1/4 cup Chicken Stock

6. 6

   Step 6: Bring a pot of water to a full boil for blanching the broccoli.

   Uses Water to fill the broccoli-blanching pot

7. 7

   Step 7: Add all the prepared broccoli to the boiling water and cook for about 2 minutes, until crisp-tender.

   Blanch broccoli until crisp-tender · 2 minUses All 1 lb prepared broccoli · The pot of boiling water

8. 8

   Step 8: Lift out the broccoli and drain thoroughly. Hold it ready for the final stir-fry.

   Uses All the cooked broccoli

9. 9

   Step 9: Choose a large frying pan or wok with enough surface area to spread the beef in a single layer. Set it over high heat.

10. 10

    Step 10: Continue heating until a tiny bead of water sizzles and evaporates immediately on contact. Add both tablespoons cooking oil and swirl to coat the pan.

    Uses A tiny bead of water to test the hot empty pan before oil is added · 2 tablespoons High Heat Cooking Oil

11. 11

    Step 11: Add all the marinated beef and spread it across the pan in one layer, with slices separated as much as possible.

    Uses All the coated beef slices · The prepared hot pan and its oil

12. 12

    Step 12: Let the beef sear undisturbed for 1 minute. Then turn the slices, add all the minced garlic and fry for another 30 seconds to 1 minute, until the beef is no longer pink. The timer covers the first-side sear only.

    First-side beef sear only · 1 minUses All the beef in the pan · Both garlic cloves minced earlier

13. 13

    Step 13: Stir the held slurry again until smooth, because the cornstarch may have settled.

    Uses The one-teaspoon cornstarch/one-tablespoon water slurry

14. 14

    Step 14: Pour all the prepared sauce and slurry into the beef pan. Stir for about 30 seconds, until the sauce boils and thickens around the beef.

    Thicken stir-fry sauce · 1 minUses All the cooked beef and garlic · All the mixed sauce · All the stirred slurry

15. 15

    Step 15: Stir in all the drained broccoli and toss until hot and evenly coated.

    Uses All the beef and sauce · All the held crisp-tender broccoli

16. 16

    Step 16: Serve immediately in four portions, with the optional ready steamed rice or on its own.

    Uses The complete hot stir-fry · Optional ready steamed rice for serving