Beef and broccoli stir fry - in less than 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 pound / 450 grams beef steak (topside, rump, sirloin or flank)
• 4 cups broccoli florettes (or use tender stem broccoli cut into pieces)
• 2 tablespoons sunflower oil
• salt (to taste)
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon crushed garlic (use fresh, or from a jar)
• 1/2 teaspoon minced ginger
• 3 tablespoons sherry (or Shaoxing wine or rice vinegar)
• 4 tablespoons dark soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey (or brown sugar)
• 2 cups beef stock (or use 2 stocks cubes dissolved in 2 cups boiling water)
• 3 teaspoons cornflour / cornstarch (mixed with 3 tablespoons water to form a paste)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried chilli flakes (optional) (or 1 small chopped chilli)
• salt (to taste)
• sesame seeds (for garnish)

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Preparation ---

2. 2

   Cut the beef (across the grain) into thin strips approximately ¼ inch or ½ centimetre

3. 3

   Cut the broccoli into florettes

4. 4

   If using stock cubes, dissolve them in 2 cups of boiling water

5. 5

   Add all the ingredients (except the cornflour) into the stock.

6. 6

   Mix the cornflour with water to form a smooth paste.

7. 7

   --- Beef and broccoli stir fry ---

8. 8

   Heat the sunflower oil in a frying pan and then fry the steak over medium to high heat until it just changes colour and starts to brown. The meat will not be fully cooked at this stage, but it will continue to cook once you add the sauce. Fry the beef in a single layer, and don't overcrowd the pan or the meat will draw moisture and boil rather than sear. Do this in batches if necessary.

9. 9

   Season the steak with a little salt as it is frying (optional)

10. 10

    Pour the prepared stock into the steak and bring it to a boil. Turn down the heat to a simmer and stir in the cornflour mixture to allow the sauce to thicken. Stir the cornflour in gradually - you may not need all of it. You are looking for a consistency of thick gravy.

11. 11

    Taste the sauce and season with salt if necessary.

12. 12

    Now add the broccoli, cover the lid with a pan and leave it to simmer for 5 minutes or until the broccoli is just tender.

13. 13

    Garnish with sesame seeds and serve on a bed of white rice or Chinese noodles.