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A beautifully plated Beef & Broccoli dish, perfect for Valentine's Recipes for Two, garnished with sesame seeds and scallions.

Valentine's Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry: Easy Dinner for Two!

Treat your loved one to a restaurant-quality Valentine's Beef & Broccoli Stir Fry at home. This easy-to-follow recipe features tender beef, crisp broccoli, and a unique citrus-sesame twist, making for a truly memorable romantic dinner for two.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Dish
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces skirt steak (or flank steak)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch divided use
  • 2 cups fresh or frozen broccoli florets
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup chicken stock
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil (vegetable oil or canola oil)
  • 2 cups hot cooked rice
  • toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
  • thinly sliced green onions (for garnish)
  • toasted sesame oil (for garnish)
  • fresh orange zest (for garnish)

Equipment

  • large 10" skillet
  • wok
  • Bowl

Method
 

  1. To begin, place the beef uncovered in the freezer for about 20 minutes. This little trick helps to firm up the Skirt steak or Flank steak, making it much easier to slice thinly and evenly.
  2. Once slightly firm, identify the grain in the beef. It is crucial to slice against the grain to ensure your beef is incredibly tender, not chewy. Toss the sliced beef with one tablespoon of the cornstarch in a bowl. This cornstarch coating will help tenderize the beef and create a delicate, crispy crust when seared. Set this aside.
  3. Next, prepare your flavorful stir-fry sauce. In a separate bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, chicken stock, red pepper flakes (if you like a hint of heat), minced garlic, freshly grated ginger, and honey. Then, add the remaining tablespoon of cornstarch, whisking very well to ensure it fully dissolves. It is essential to dissolve cornstarch in a cold liquid like this before adding it to a hot pan to prevent any clumps from forming. Set this sauce aside.
  4. Preheat a large 10" skillet or a wok over medium-high heat. Add the tablespoon of neutral oil and allow it to heat until it shimmers, typically about 3-5 minutes. You want the pan to be hot enough to get a good sear on the beef.
  5. Carefully add the cornstarch-coated beef to the hot pan in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the pan; if necessary, cook the beef in two batches. Let it cook on the first side until it is beautifully crispy and brown, signaling the Maillard reaction has occurred, which builds incredible flavor.
  6. Flip the beef to the other side to finish cooking. Immediately add the broccoli florets to the pan with the beef. Finally, give your prepared sauce a quick whisk again to ensure the cornstarch is still dissolved, then stir it into the pan. Let the sauce bubble and thicken to a glossy consistency while the beef finishes cooking and the broccoli reaches your desired tenderness, which usually takes about 5 minutes.
  7. Once everything is perfectly cooked and coated in the delicious, thick sauce, divide the Beef and Broccoli mixture over two bowls of freshly cooked hot rice.
  8. For the unique twist, garnish with toasted sesame seeds for crunch, thinly sliced green onions for fresh color and pungency, and delicate fresh orange zest for a vibrant aroma and brightness. A final drizzle of toasted sesame oil can add an extra sheen and layer of umami before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 650kcalCarbohydrates: 75gProtein: 30gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 1200mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 5gSugar: 15gVitamin C: 70mgIron: 2mg

Notes

This dish is perfect for a romantic dinner or a simple weeknight meal prep. Customize with other vegetables like snow peas or bok choy. Double the sauce for extra coverage. Remember the unique garnishes for a truly elevated experience.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.

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