Healthy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry: Chinese Takeout Redefined

When it comes to creating a perfect beef and broccoli stir fry, the secret lies not just in the sauce and ingredients but also in how you prepare the star of the dish: the beef. By employing two special techniques - tenderising with baking soda and water and velveting with cornstarch - you can take your stir fry to a whole new level of tenderness and flavor.

Time: 60 mins

Serves: 4

Ingredients

For Tenderising and Velveting:

• 1 lb grass fed flank steak, thinly sliced into bite-sized strips

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 2 tablespoons water

• 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

• 1 tablespoon coconut aminos or tamari sauce

For Stir Fry:

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil, divided

• 1 lb broccoli, cut into 6 cups of florets

• 2 tsp sesame seeds (optional garnish)

Stir Fry Sauce Ingredients

• 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated (loosely packed)

• 2 tsp garlic, grated (from 3 cloves)

• 1/2 cup hot water

• 6 Tbsp coconut aminos or tamari sauce

• 3 Tbsp coconut sugar

• 1/4 tsp black pepper

• 2 Tbsp sesame oil

Method

Tenderising and Velveting the Steak:

1. In a bowl, combine the thinly sliced flank steak with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and 2 tablespoons of water. Mix well and let it sit for 30 minutes in the fridge to tenderise the meat.

2. After 30 minutes, rinse the steak thoroughly in cold water to remove any residual baking soda. Pat it dry with paper towels.

3. In another bowl, toss the rinsed steak with 1 1/2 tablespoons of cornstarch until the meat is evenly coated along with the coconut aminos. Set aside fir 15 mins. This will velvet the steak, giving it a smooth and tender texture.

Stir Fry:

1. In the meantime, grab a bowl and combine all the stir fry sauce ingredients (grated ginger, grated garlic, hot water, coconut aminos or tamari sauce, coconut sugar, black pepper, and sesame oil). Stir well to dissolve the sugar, and set the sauce aside.

2. Place a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the broccoli florets and sauté for 4-5 minutes, partially covered with a lid. Stir or toss several times until the broccoli is bright green and crisp-tender. If you prefer softer broccoli, add 2 tablespoons of water before covering with the lid, allowing it to steam cook.

3. Increase the heat to high and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the velveted beef in a single layer and sauté for 2 minutes per side or just until cooked through. Quickly pull out a piece to test for doneness.

4. Pour the prepared stir fry sauce over the beef, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens.

5. Finally, add the sautéed broccoli to the skillet and stir to combine. If desired, you can stir in 1-2 tablespoons of water to thin the sauce.

6. Serve the tender beef and broccoli over white rice, garnished with sesame seeds if desired and enjoy!