Five Spices And A Few Cuties

I was in the mood for a little stir-fry this week but I've had so much chicken, I needed something different.  Beef and broccoli sounded good so I searched the internet and found this recipe for Five-Spice Orange Beef and Broccoli.  It was super easy and reallly delicious. 

Here's what you'll need:

• 1 pound flank steak, trimmed 
• 3/4 teaspoon five-spice powder 
• 3/4 teaspoon black pepper 
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 
• 2 tablespoons peanut oil, divided 
• 2 cups small broccoli florets 
• 1 1/2 cups vertically sliced onion 
• 8 (1-inch) strips orange rind 
• 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 
• 1/2 cup unsalted beef stock 
• 3 tablespoons orange juice 
• 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce 
• 1 tablespoon lower-sodium soy sauce 
• 2 teaspoons rice vinegar 
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch 
• 3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper 
• 1 (8.8-ounce) package precooked white rice 
• 1/2 cup sliced green onions 
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

Since it was a last-minute idea, I didn't have a few of the ingredients - beef stock, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, green onions, sesame seeds - but that didn't affect the meal.  I used chicken stock in place of the beef, 2 tablespoons of sugar and white wine to make up for the hoisin and rice vinegar (since hoisin is a sweet and rice vinegar is sweeter than white vinegar).  As for the green onions and sesame seeds, they're just garnish and I can do without them.

Next, there are just three steps to put it all together!

Step 1
Sprinkle steak evenly with five-spice powder, black pepper, and salt.  Heat a large wok or skillet over high heat.  Add 1 tablespoon oil to pan; swirl to coat.Add steak; cook 4 minutes on each side or until browned. Remove steak from pan; let stand 5 minutes. Cut steak across the grain into thin slices.

Step 2

Return pan to high heat. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil; swirl. Add broccoli, onion, rind, and garlic; stir-fry 3 minutes or until lightly browned. Combine stock and next 6 ingredients (through red pepper) in a bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add stock mixture to pan; cook 1 minute or until slightly thickened.

Step 3

Spoon 1/2 cup rice onto each of 4 plates; top each serving with 3/4 cup broccoli mixture and 3 ounces beef. Sprinkle evenly with green onions and sesame seeds.

I didn't do the broccoli and beef separately, I mixed the meat in with the broccoli before I served it.  I wanted everything coated with the sauce. 

I will definitely be making this again.  In fact, I'm kinda craving it right now.

Also - I was surprised at how delicious the orange rinds were.  I used Cuties because I had them on hand and they were perfect.  

Enjoy!

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2017: Water That Saved The Life Of A Princess
2016: A Few Blocks From Fort Apache
2015: Única…Original
2014: Living The Examined Life
2013: Trucking Like We're On Fire

2012: Looking For A Coffee Fix
2011: Container Port, You Are No Friend Of Mine
2010: Encased In Plastic
2009: No Lifeguard On Duty
2008: Palm Sketches
2007: You Know Who You Are
2006: I Fear The Family
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!