✅ Step 1: Ingredient List
Here are the main ingredients needed to make Sautéed Beef with Chinese Broccoli.
| Category | Ingredient | Quantity | Notes (Emoji & Description) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main | Beef (steak meat, tenderloin, etc.) | 200g-250g | 🐄 Sliced or cubed against the grain for more tenderness |
| Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan/Snow Pea) | 100g-250g | Remove strings; blanched in salted water to maintain crispness and green color | |
| Accessories | Garlic | 3-5 cloves (approx. 10-15g) | Sliced or smashed |
| Ginger | 1 small piece (approx. 5-10g) | Sliced or shredded | |
| Red/Green Bell Pepper (optional) | 1-2 | 🌶️ Cut into pieces; adds color and flavor | |
| Onion (optional) | 1/4 (approx. 50g) | Cut into strips or chunks | |
| Other | Cooking Oil | As needed (approx. 30-40ml) | For marinating and stir-frying |
👨🍳 Step 2: Instructions
Making Sautéed Beef with Chinese Broccoli emphasizes marinating the beef, preparing the Chinese broccoli, and heat control. Here are the core steps.
- 🐄 Prepare & Marinate the Beef (Key Step):
- Cut the beef into thin slices or small cubes against the grain. Gently pound with the back of a knife to tenderize the meat.
- Place the beef slices in a bowl. Add cooking wine (approx. 10g), light soy sauce (approx. 15g), cornstarch or potato starch (approx. 5-10g), and sesame oil (approx. 5g). Mix well. Some methods add a small amount of baking soda (approx. 1/4 tsp) to soften the meat fibers, making the beef more tender and juicy.
- Marinate for at least 10-15 minutes; refrigerating for over half an hour is better if time allows.
- 🥬 Prepare Chinese Broccoli & Ingredients:
- Remove the ends and any tough strings from the Chinese broccoli. Rinse under running water.
- Bring water to a boil in a pot, add a few drops of oil and a little salt. Add the Chinese broccoli and blanch for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Remove and immediately rinse with cold water or drain thoroughly. This helps maintain its vibrant green color and crisp texture.
- Prepare the garlic (sliced or minced), ginger (sliced or shredded), and other accessories like onion and peppers.
- 🔥 Velvet Stir-fry the Beef:
- Heat the wok and add oil. When the oil is 50% hot (around 150°C/300°F), add the marinated beef slices. Quickly stir-fry until they change color (about 1-3 minutes). Remove immediately and set aside. Avoid overcooking to prevent the beef from becoming tough.
- 🍳 Stir-fry Aromatics & Chinese Broccoli:
- Leave some base oil in the wok or add new oil. Heat it up, then sauté the ginger slices, garlic (and onion, peppers if using) until fragrant.
- Add the blanched Chinese broccoli and quickly stir-fry to combine.
- 🧂 Combine & Season:
- Return the previously cooked beef to the wok with the Chinese broccoli.
- According to taste, add seasonings like salt, oyster sauce (approx. 7-15g), white pepper (approx. 2g), etc. Quickly stir-fry evenly.
- Optionally, thicken with a little slurry (water + cornstarch) to make the sauce slightly thick and cling to the ingredients.
- Drizzle with a little sesame oil for extra fragrance before finishing.
- Stir-fry everything evenly and then plate immediately.
🌟 Step 3: Seasoning Ratio & Nutrition Info
Precise seasoning ratios are key to the flavor of Sautéed Beef with Chinese Broccoli, especially for marinating the beef.
| Seasoning | Precise Amount (g) | Notes (Emoji & Description) |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking Wine | 10g | 🍶 Removes gaminess, adds aroma |
| Light Soy Sauce | 15g | Provides savory umami flavor |
| Oyster Sauce | 7-15g | Enhances freshness |
| Cornstarch/Potato Starch | 5-10g | Tenderizes beef; can also be used for thickening |
| Table Salt | 3-5g | Provides base saltiness; extra may be added when blanching and stir-frying |
| Sugar | 1-2g (optional) | Balances flavors, enhances freshness |
| Sesame Oil | 5g | Enhances aroma |
| White Pepper | 2g | Removes gaminess, adds aroma |
| Baking Soda | 1g (optional) | Softens beef fibers, makes it more tender (mainly for non-steak cuts) |
| Cooking Oil | ~30-40g | For sealing during marinating and for stir-frying |
💡 Chef’s Tips (TIPS)
- Choosing Ingredients is Fundamental: Select tender beef cuts like sirloin steak or beef tenderloin. Choose Chinese broccoli that is vibrant green with small peas for better texture.
- Slice Against the Grain: Cutting thin slices against the beef’s grain is the crucial first step to ensuring tenderness.
- Marinating is Essential: Marinating beef with starch and seasonings makes it more tender. For tougher cuts, a tiny amount of baking soda (edible alkali) can effectively soften the meat fibers.
- Blanch the Chinese Broccoli: Blanching the Chinese broccoli (with a little salt and oil) helps maintain its vibrant green color and can reduce any beaniness.
- High Heat, Quick Action: Use high heat for quick stir-frying for both the beef and Chinese broccoli. Especially for the beef, remove it as soon as it changes color to avoid overcooking.
