Beef & Broccoli

Not spicy, but a great "make at home" version of a restaurant favorite. If you like spicy, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the pan.

2 cloves garlic, smashed
Tablespoon grated fresh ginger
3 Tablespoons soy sauce
3 Tablespoons dry sherry
3 Tablespoons sesame oil
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon sugar
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1.5 - 2 lbs. Flank steak or other favorite beef cut, sliced thin

1.5 lbs. broccoli, cut into bite sized pieces
Optional: Celery, Red Pepper, Mushrooms, Onions, all sliced.

1.5 Tablespoon cornstarch mixed into
1.5 Tablespoon cold water

Hot rice to serve
Optional: Sesame Seeds as garnish

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Mix together the first set of ingredients. Add sliced beef and allow to marinade while you prepare the rest of the meal.

Prepare your rice, if it isn't already cooking.

As I've said before, the key to Asian cooking is having your ingredients ready to put into the pan. You cut everything and have it all ready to go, ahead of starting the heat under the pan.

Trim your broccoli and set aside. Today, I also used red peppers and one rib of celery, sliced on the bias.

When everything is ready, and rice is done, or nearly done, heat your pan or wok on high heat.

When pan is hot, add beef and marinade. Cook until nearly done. Add vegetables and allow them to steam with a lid on for 5 minutes or so. When veggies are cooked to your liking, add the cornstarch/water mix and stir up until it thickens a bit. Serve over rice, sprinkling with sesame seeds as a garnish, if you like.

Beef, sliced thin.

Beef into the marinade.

3 heads of broccoli to cut up.

I cut up my broccoli so it has plenty of stem. If I cut the stems and flowers separately, no one eats the stems. Long stems get eaten!

A little celery.

A little red bell pepper.

Pan is hot, In goes the meat, marinade and all.

Beef is almost done, add veggies.

Steam for a few minutes to soften fresh broccoli.

Broccoli is tender-crisp. Make a well to add cornstarch to liquid.

Cornstarch and water mixture. Stir in well.

Serve over hot rice.

Add some sesame seeds over the top.

Doesn't that look fresh and tasty? Delicious!! And quick too!