Posted by Melanie on 3rd December 2009
2

Whats Cooking: Crispy Garlic Beef with Green Beans

Crispy Beef


Crispy Beef

The day after we got back to NYC from our Thanksgiving break, I knew that I didn’t want to see any southern comfort food for at least a week. After four days of eating like that, my palate and stomach needed a break. My arms also needed one since I had cooked most of the Thanksgiving meal. As we pulled into the city, Chris asked me what I wanted for dinner. I thought,

“I could really go for some Crispy Beef right now.”
“None of the Chinese restaurants around the house are good though.”
“I could probably get to Chinatown if we hurry!”

By the time I had finished unpacking and parking our car, I canceled that thought completely. Although Chinatown is only about 5 miles from the Upper West Side, it was still Manhattan miles, which if you  live here is like light years away. So I rummaged through the freezer in hopes that I could find a decent leftover to eat. Then I saw it – a stir-fry beef value-pack I’d bought the month before.

“Yaaaaaay!”
“Thank you Lord for small favors!”

Seriously, it really felt like an answer to prayer. I was dying for Crispy Beef and lo and behold, I found what I needed to make it. I had forgotten that we had bought a huge bag of French Green Beans from Costco the day before. It is the exact vegetable needed for that dish.

“Now you tell me that God wasn’t looking out for me!”

Chris was speaking that night, so I knew it would be a late dinner. Thankfully, Crispy Beef is a 20 min. meal, which is perfect because we would not be eating until late. I pulled whatever else I could salvage from the fridge and ended up creating a quick but delicious meal that scratched my chinese food itch. This is what I did.

INGREDIENTS

From The Pantry:

  1. 1 cup of cornstarch
  2. 2 tbsp of honey
  3. 5 tbsp of sugar
  4. 1/3 cup of rice wine vinegar
  5. 1/3 cup of white wine
  6. frying oil
  7. salt
  8. pepper

From The Fridge:

  1. 1 lbs of stir fry beef
  2. 1 lbs of green beans
  3. 1 tbsp of chili paste
  4. 1 sliced onion
  5. 2 tbsp of chopped garlic
  6. 3/4 cup of soy sauce
  7. 3 tbsps of minced ginger * I didn’t have any, but it was great even without it.

METHOD

Part 1: The Green Beans

  • Heat an oiled wok or skillet to medium-high heat.
  • Add green beans and stir fry for 5 minutes.
  • Add 2 pinches of salt and 1/2 cup of water.
  • Cover with a lid and let them steam for 5 to 7 minutes.
  • Place green beans in a bowl.
  • Wipe out excess water and add a tbsp of oil.
  • Add onions and cook until translucent.
  • Place onions in the bowl.

Part 2: The Beef

  • Fill a skillet half way with oil over medium high heat. *You may also use a deep fryer (my preferred method).
  • Mix cornstarch with 2 tsp each of salt and pepper.
  • Add beef and mix until all the pieces are coated. *Placing it in a zip bag and shaking makes it much easier.
  • Place pieces in oil one at a time.
  • Fry until golden brown.
  • Remove from oil and drain on a paper towel.

Part 3: The Finish Line

  • Reheat the wok or skillet to medium high heat.
  • Mix the soy, chili paste, ginger, vinegar, wine, garlic and sugar in a bowl.
  • Add beef, green beans, onions, and sauce.
  • Mix until all the beef and grean beans are coated.
  • Heat for 3 minutes.
  • Remove from skillet and serve with brown rice.
HUSBAND RATING:
8.8 (go figure!)

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    2 Responses

  1. Chic 'n Cheap Living says:
    December 4, 2009 at 9:24 am

    Melanie, your recipes are mouthwatering! I would love to have a deep fryer but living in a studio seriously cramps my cooking style. Sigh, can't wait to be back in the US and get one…

    Reply
  2. M and C says:
    December 16, 2009 at 12:32 pm

    I'm totally making this when I get my kitchen back.

    Reply

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