Black Pepper Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry

Ingredients

• 450 g beef flank or sirloin, thinly sliced across the grain
• 1 tbsp cornflour
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 400 g broccoli, cut into small florets
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
• 3 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp dark soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
• 120 ml beef or chicken stock
• 1 tsp cornflour mixed with 2 tsp water

Instructions

1. 1

   Toss the sliced beef with cornflour, soy sauce, and baking soda. Let it marinate for 15 minutes — the baking soda velvets the meat making it incredibly tender.

2. 2

   Blanch broccoli in boiling salted water for 90 seconds, drain, and immediately plunge into ice water. Drain again and set aside.

3. 3

   Whisk together oyster sauce, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, and black pepper in a small bowl.

4. 4

   Heat 2 tbsp oil in a wok over the highest heat until smoking. Add beef in a single layer and sear for 1 minute per side. Remove from wok.

5. 5

   Add remaining oil, garlic, and ginger to the wok. Stir-fry for 30 seconds, then add the broccoli and toss for 1 minute.

6. 6

   Return the beef to the wok, pour in the sauce mixture and stock. Bring to a rapid simmer, add the cornflour slurry, and toss constantly for 1–2 minutes until the sauce is thick and glossy.

7. 7

   Serve immediately over steamed white rice.