Homemade Ginger Beef!
I made this! Myself! From scratch! For real!
I’m sad to say it doesn’t look anywhere near as good as the first batch – this one is a bit paler and pouffier (like its creator) due to my excitement-triggered belief I could improve upon it, and make it even crispier. Next time I’ll go back to the version below. I still had to photograph it, as the light died and we had ten minutes to finish eating and get to gymnastics. Mike said it was better than take-out.
In the past I’ve been inclined to leave this sort of thing to the experts, but gave it a shot earlier this week for CBC in anticipation of the Chinese new year. If I can make ginger beef from scratch at 6:30 in the morning, you can do it too. (Preferably at 6:30 pm.)
Ginger Beef
If you can find thinly sliced beef for rouladen or bolgogi beef, it’s an easy start. Adapted from the Best of Bridge.
1 lb. sirloin steak or any other cut you like (I used eye of round)
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup cornstarch
1/3 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 Tbsp. rice vinegar
2 Tbsp. wine (red or white – optional)
1 Tbsp. sesame oil
pinch red chili flakes
1/4 cup grated fresh ginger
4-5 garlic cloves, crushed
canola oil, for cooking
1 small red pepper, sliced
1 large carrot, coarsely grated
2 green onions, choppedThinly slice the beef into strips a few inches long and about 1/4-inch wide. Toss with egg in a medium bowl. Stir together the cornstarch and water and add to the beef; toss to blend well.
In a small bowl or measuring cup, stir together the sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, wine, sesame oil and chili flakes. Stir in half the ginger and garlic.
In a wok or heavy pot, heat about an inch of oil over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Drop the strips of beef into the oil using a fork, chopsticks or tongs, keeping them from clumping together and cooking in batches so the beef doesn’t crowd the pot. Once golden and crisp, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate or sheet. Pour the oil out into a jar (or start with a fresh pan or wok with a new drizzle of oil) and add the pepper, carrots, green onion and remaining ginger and garlic to the pan. Cook for a minute or two, then pour the sauce overtop and heat through. Put the beef in a shallow bowl, pour the sauce over top and serve immediately. Serves 6.
February 03 2011 | appetizers and beef | 31 Comments »
