Stir-Fried Beef with Gai Lan (Chinese Broccoli) -- Cook

Hsiao-Ching Chou, author of Chinese Soul Food, shares her recipe for Stir-Fried Beef with Gai Lan (Chinese broccoli). Recipe copyright Hsiao-Ching Chou, mychinesesoulfood.com

BEEF WITH GAI LAN

Gai lan is Chinese broccoli. You can make this dish with regular broccoli, too. If you are substituting, use 2 heaping cups of broccoli florets that you blanch for 2 minutes in a pot of simmering water.

Makes 4 servings

½ to ¾ pound flank steak

Marinade:
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
2 heaping cups chopped fresh gai lan
1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon black bean garlic sauce
2 tablespoons water
¼ teaspoon sesame oil
⅛ teaspoon white pepper powder, optional


Trim the flank steak of any large pieces of membrane or silver skin. Cut the flank in half lengthwise, or with the grain. (It should be relatively easy to determine the grain on flank steak. There are visible vertical lines in the meat. Find the center and make a cut along the grain.) This should give you two pieces that measure about 3 inches across. Sometimes, a piece of flank can be pretty wide. If it looks like you can cut three strips that are 3-4 inches across, do so. Now, against the grain on each strip, cut ⅛-inch slices. Place the slices in a medium bowl.

Add the soy sauce to the sliced beef. Mix well. Add the cornstarch and mix well again to distribute. Set aside.

Preheat the wok over high heat until wisps of smoke start to rise from the surface. Swirl in 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and heat for about 5 seconds or until the oil starts to shimmer. Gently add the beef and quickly spread the beef slices in a single layer in the wok. Let sear for up to a minute, or until the meat has browned. Using the wok spatula, flip the meat quickly to try to sear the other sides. Begin to stir fry the beef vigorously for about 1 minute. Turn off the heat and transfer the beef back into the bowl. Place the wok over high heat again. Add 1 teaspoon oil. Add the chopped gai lan. Stir-fry for about 1 minute. Add the beef and stir-fry to combine. Add the soy sauce, black bean garlic sauce, and water. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes or until all the ingredients are well-combined. Turn off the heat and add the sesame oil and, if using, the white pepper.