Beef and Broccoli with Oyster Sauce
This iconic dish has simple yet lip-smackingly-good flavours, down to the harmony of Oyster sauce and tender beef. You'll prepare and cook this quicker than a takeaway, so add this to your repertoire now.
Pantry bits
- Oyster Sauce - deep, salty, and slightly sweet
- MSG - Enhances the umami
- Soy Sauce: rich, salty depth
- Dark Soy Sauce - adds color and slightly sweet
- Peanut Oil - high smoke point and nutty
Ingredients
- 500g beef steak, thinly sliced
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons peanut oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon MSG (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup water
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the beef, cornstarch, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and MSG (if using). Mix well and let it marinate for 15 minutes.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of peanut oil in a wok or large pan over high heat. Add the beef and stir-fry until it's browned but not fully cooked. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, add another tablespoon of peanut oil. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Add the broccoli florets to the pan, stir-frying for a minute. Then add water, cover the pan, and let it steam for about 2 minutes until the broccoli is tender yet crisp.
- Return the beef to the pan and pour in the oyster sauce. Stir well to coat the beef and broccoli evenly.
- Season with salt and pepper as needed, then remove from the heat.
- Serve hot with steamed rice.
Beef and Broccoli with Oyster Sauce is a staple in Chinese cuisine, delivering a satisfying blend of tender beef slices and crisp, vibrant broccoli florets, all coated in a rich, savoury oyster sauce.
Personal Tips
Marinating the beef with corn flour and baking soda flour helps tenderise it and create a velvety texture. Don't overcook the broccoli; keeping it slightly crunchy adds contrast to the tender beef. If you like a bit of heat, feel free to add some crushed red pepper flakes or sliced fresh chili. Remember, the beauty of Chinese cooking lies in its flexibility, so don't hesitate to adjust the flavors to your liking. Finally, don't go too heavy on the salt, remember you can always add more but it's impossible to take back.. Happy cooking!
