Gence Ruan - Chinese-inspired Spicy Beef Stir-Fry

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) beef sirloin, thinly sliced 500g (1.1 lb) beef sirloin, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 medium carrot, julienned 1 medium carrot, julienned
• 1 cup broccoli florets 1 cup broccoli florets
• 2 tablespoons chili paste 2 tablespoons chili paste
• 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 15g, 6g
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine the sliced beef, soy sauce, minced ginger, and minced garlic. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
2. 2.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat.
3. 3.
   Add the marinated beef to the hot pan and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until browned. Remove the beef from the pan and set aside.
4. 4.
   In the same pan, add the sliced bell peppers, julienned carrot, and broccoli florets. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
5. 5.
   In a small bowl, whisk together the chili paste, honey or brown sugar, oyster sauce, and cornstarch. Pour the sauce over the vegetables in the pan.
6. 6.
   Return the beef to the pan and toss everything together until the sauce thickens and coats the beef and vegetables evenly.
7. 7.
   Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. 8.
   Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Beef — For a more tender result, slice the beef against the grain. This will help break down the muscle fibers and ensure a juicy and tender texture.
• Chili paste — Adjust the amount of chili paste according to your spice tolerance. Add more for an extra kick or reduce it for a milder version.
• Cornstarch — To achieve a glossy and thick sauce, make sure to dissolve the cornstarch in a small amount of water before adding it to the stir-fry.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra burst of freshness, squeeze some lime juice over the finished dish before serving.
• Customize the vegetable selection based on your preferences. Snow peas, mushrooms, or baby corn can be great additions.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, increase the amount of cornstarch in the recipe.
• To save time, you can pre-cut the vegetables and marinate the beef in advance.
• Experiment with different cuts of beef, such as flank steak or ribeye, for variations in flavor and texture.

Serving advice

Serve the Gence Ruan stir-fry hot over a bed of steamed jasmine rice or alongside some egg noodles. Garnish with fresh cilantro for a pop of color and added freshness.

Presentation advice

To elevate the presentation, arrange the stir-fried beef and vegetables on a large platter, allowing the vibrant colors to shine through. Sprinkle some sesame seeds or sliced green onions on top for an extra touch of elegance.