Beef and Broccoli

Method

1. Put the beef in the freezer for 15 minutes; firm meat is much easier to slice thinly. Cut it against the grain into slices 5 mm thick and 5 cm long, then toss in a bowl with half the soy sauce, the Shaoxing wine and the cornstarch for the beef. Leave to marinate for 15 min. Slicing against the grain keeps the beef tender.

   Add in this stepFlank steak (or sirloin) 240 gSoy sauce 2 tspShaoxing wine (or dry sherry) 1 tspCornstarch (for the beef) 2 tsp

2. In a small bowl stir together the oyster sauce, the rest of the soy sauce, the brown sugar, stock, cornstarch for the sauce and sesame oil. Cut the broccoli into 4 cm florets; peel the stalk and slice it thinly. Mince the garlic and finely chop the ginger.

   Add in this stepOyster sauce 2 tbspSoy sauce 2 tspBrown sugar 2 tspBeef stock (or water) 100 mlCornstarch (for the sauce) 2 tspToasted sesame oil 1 tsp

3. Heat some of the oil in a 28 cm frying pan or wok over medium-high heat, add the broccoli and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Pour in the water, cover at once and steam for 3 min, until bright green and a knife slides into the stalk with slight resistance. Tip onto a plate.

   Add in this stepNeutral oil ½ tbspBroccoli 300 gWater (to steam the broccoli) 45 ml

   medium-high heat

4. Wipe the pan dry, add half the oil and heat over high heat until it just starts to smoke. Lay the beef in a single layer and leave it untouched for 1 minute, then flip and cook 30 seconds more; a little pink inside is fine, it cooks again later. Work in 1 batch(es) to fit your pan, 1 min 30 sec in total. Crowding the pan makes the beef stew in its juices instead of searing.

   Add in this stepNeutral oil 1¼ tbsp

   high heat

5. Add the rest of the oil, lower to medium heat and stir-fry the garlic and ginger for 30 sec until fragrant, without letting them brown. Stir the sauce again (the cornstarch sinks), pour it in and let it bubble for 1 min until thick and glossy.

   Add in this stepNeutral oil ¾ tbspGarlic cloves 3Fresh ginger 8 g

   medium heat

6. Return the beef and broccoli and toss for 30 sec to coat everything in the sauce. Serve straight away over the hot rice.

   Add in this stepSteamed jasmine rice, freshly cooked 360 g