Stir-Fried Beef and Gai Lan for Two
My take on this ever-evolving Chinese American staple features a 2:1 ratio of leafy gai lan to supple filet mignon, along with a good dose of briny oyster sauce.
Gather Your Ingredients
Key Equipment
Before You Begin
We developed this recipe for a 14-inch wok, but a 12-inch carbon-steel or cast-iron skillet can be used. If gai lan is unavailable, you can use broccolini, substituting the florets for the gai lan leaves. Do not use standard broccoli. This recipe was developed with Lee Kum Kee oyster sauce. Serve with white rice.
Instructions
1.
Cut beef into 4 equal wedges. Transfer to plate and freeze until very firm, 10 to 15 minutes. While beef freezes, prepare gai lan. Remove leaves, small stems, and florets from stalks; slice leaves crosswise into 1½-inch strips (any florets and stems can go into pile with leaves); and cut stalks on bias into ¼-inch-thick pieces. Set aside. When beef is firm, stand 1 piece on its side and slice against grain ¼ inch thick. Repeat with remaining pieces. Transfer to bowl. Add ½ teaspoon Shaoxing wine, ½ teaspoon soy sauce, and ½ teaspoon cornstarch and toss until beef is evenly coated. Set aside.
2.
In second bowl, whisk together ¼ cup broth, oyster sauce, ¼ teaspoon sesame oil, remaining 2 teaspoons Shaoxing wine, remaining 1 teaspoon soy sauce, and remaining ¼ teaspoon cornstarch; set aside. In third bowl, combine 2 teaspoons vegetable oil, ginger, and ⅛ teaspoon garlic.
3.
Heat ½ teaspoon vegetable oil in wok over high heat until just smoking. Add stalks and cook, stirring slowly but constantly, until spotty brown and crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to bowl.
4.
Add remaining ½ teaspoon sesame oil, remaining ½ teaspoon vegetable oil, and remaining ¼ teaspoon garlic to wok and cook, stirring constantly, until garlic is fragrant, about 10 seconds. Add leaves and cook, stirring frequently until vibrant green, about 45 seconds. Add remaining 2 tablespoons broth and cook, stirring constantly, until broth evaporates, 1 to 2 minutes. Spread evenly on serving dish.
5.
Add ginger-garlic mixture to wok and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Add beef and cook, stirring slowly but constantly, until no longer pink, about 1½ minutes. Return stalks to wok and add oyster sauce mixture. Cook, stirring constantly, until sauce thickens, 20 to 40 seconds. Place mixture on top of leaves. Serve.
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