✅ Step 1: Ingredient List
Here are the main ingredients needed to make Cumin Beef on Toothpicks.
| Category | Ingredient | Quantity | Notes (Emoji & Description) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | Beef Tenderloin | 500g | 🐄 Cut against the grain into thin slices or small pieces for more tenderness |
| Core Ingredients | Dried Chili Peppers | 20-30g | 🌶️ Cut into sections; provides dry chili aroma |
| Garlic | 3-5 cloves (approx. 15-20g) | Sliced or smashed | |
| Ginger | 1 small piece (approx. 10g) | Shredded or sliced | |
| Other | Toothpicks | As needed | For skewering the meat |
| Cooking Oil | As needed (approx. 600g added, 80g consumed) | For frying and stir-frying |
👨🍳 Step 2: Instructions
Making Cumin Beef on Toothpicks emphasizes marinating the beef, skewering技巧 (technique), and frying heat control. Here are the core steps.
- 🐄 Prepare & Marinate the Beef (Key Step):
- Cut the beef against the grain into thin slices (approx. 3-5mm thick) or 2cm cubes.
- Place the beef in a bowl. Add cooking wine (approx. 10g), light soy sauce (approx. 15g), dark soy sauce (approx. 5g), oyster sauce (approx. 5g), salt (approx. 2g), sugar (approx. 2g), black pepper (approx. 2g), and starch (approx. 10g). Mix well with your hands, stirring in one direction until the beef absorbs the moisture and becomes sticky.
- Marinate for 20-25 minutes to allow flavors to penetrate.
- 🫘 Skewer the Beef:
- Skewer the marinated beef slices or pieces with toothpicks. Skewer one piece per toothpick to avoid sticking together, which affects even frying.
- 🔥 Fry the Beef (Key Step):
- Pour ample cooking oil into a wok and heat to 70% hot (approx. 170°C).
- Add the skewered beef and fry for 30 seconds to 2 minutes, until the edges of the beef turn golden brown. Remove and drain the oil.
- (Optional Double-Fry Step): Once the oil temperature recovers, return the beef to the oil for a quick second fry to achieve an even crispier exterior while keeping the inside tender.
- 🍳 Stir-fry Aromatics:
- Leave some base oil in the wok. Heat it up, then add ginger shreds, garlic slices, dried chili sections, and Sichuan peppercorns (approx. a dozen). Stir-fry over low heat until fragrant.
- 🧂 Combine and Season:
- Return the fried beef to the wok. Quickly stir-fry to combine.
- Add seasonings: cumin powder (approx. 10g), chili powder (approx. 5g), white sesame seeds (approx. 5g), etc. Stir-fry evenly.
- Optionally, sprinkle with chopped scallions for extra fragrance before serving.
🌟 Step 3: Seasoning Ratio & Nutrition Info
Precise seasoning ratios are key to the flavor of Cumin Beef on Toothpicks, especially the amount of cumin and chili.
| Seasoning | Precise Amount (g) | Notes (Emoji & Description) |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking Wine | 10g | 🍶 Removes gaminess, adds aroma |
| Light Soy Sauce | 15g | Provides savory umami flavor |
| Dark Soy Sauce | 5g | Primarily for coloring |
| Oyster Sauce | 5g | Enhances freshness |
| Table Salt | 2g | Provides base saltiness |
| Sugar | 2g | Balances flavors, enhances freshness |
| Black Pepper | 2g | Removes gaminess, adds aroma |
| Starch | 10g | Tenderizes beef, locks in moisture |
| Cumin Powder | 10g | Provides the core aroma; approx. 2% of meat weight |
| Chili Powder | 5g | 🌶️ Provides heat; adjustable to taste |
| White Sesame Seeds | 5g | Enhances aroma |
| Cooking Oil | ~80g (consumed) | For frying and stir-frying |
🌟 Step 3: Seasoning Ratio & Nutrition Info
Precise seasoning ratios are key to the flavor of Cumin Beef on Toothpicks, especially the amount of cumin and chili.
| Seasoning | Precise Amount (g) | Notes (Emoji & Description) |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking Wine | 10g | 🍶 Removes gaminess, adds aroma |
| Light Soy Sauce | 15g | Provides savory umami flavor |
| Dark Soy Sauce | 5g | Primarily for coloring |
| Oyster Sauce | 5g | Enhances freshness |
| Table Salt | 2g | Provides base saltiness |
| Sugar | 2g | Balances flavors, enhances freshness |
| Black Pepper | 2g | Removes gaminess, adds aroma |
| Starch | 10g | Tenderizes beef, locks in moisture |
| Cumin Powder | 10g | Provides the core aroma; approx. 2% of meat weight |
| Chili Powder | 5g | 🌶️ Provides heat; adjustable to taste |
| White Sesame Seeds | 5g | Enhances aroma |
| Cooking Oil | ~80g (consumed) | For frying and stir-frying |
