Orange Beef

I think this is supposed to be deep-fried, but in addition to being bad for you I find the prospect of deep-frying positively terrifying. If you want to do it at home, more power to you; the beef will probably be much crispier.

Ingredients

1 lb. sirloin steak (or whatever steaky thing you have on hand)

1 egg white
1/4 cup corn starch
1/2 tsp. salt and pepper
2 T. soy sauce

2 scallions, chopped
3 T. brown sugar
3-4 T. soy sauce
1 T. sesame oil
2 T. vinegar (white, red wine, or rice wine)
1 knob ginger, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
black or white pepper to taste
1/2 tsp. red chili pepper flakes (more or less, depending on how spicy you want it)
1 orange, zest and juice

Peanut or canola oil for frying
Steamed broccoli

Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. Cut the steak into chunks (it's easier to do this if you put the beef in the freezer 1 hour prior to cooking)

2. Coat the chunks of steak in the next 4 ingredients (egg white, corn starch, soy sauce, salt and pepper) and set aside while you do the rest (preferably for about 30 minutes)

3. Whisk the rest of the ingredients, except the broccoli and oil, together***. This part is pretty flexible; if you think it needs more soy sauce/sugar/whatever add it now. Keep taste testing it.

4. Add some oil, and cook the coated beef on both sides until brown and crispy.

5. Drain the oil (there should be a little left on the pan), then re-add your beef and the soy sauce mixture.

6. Cook until well-coated; add steamed broccoli and serve over rice. Sprinkle with sesame seeds for garnish.



***If you prefer to cook the garlic and ginger a little first, you could omit them then toss them in before you re-add the beef and the soy sauce mixture, but it's not necessary.