Classic Chinese Pepper Steak Recipes

THE BEST PEPPER STEAK

Steps:

• Freeze the flank steak until the meat is slightly frozen and firm enough to thinly slice with ease, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Finely grate 2 cloves of the garlic into a large bowl. Peel the ginger and cut it in half. Finely grate one of the ginger halves into the same bowl; reserve the remaining ginger. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of the soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of the Shaoxing wine, 1 1/2 teaspoons of the sugar and several large grinds of pepper to combine. Set aside.
• Thinly slice the flank steak against the grain on a very slight bias into 1/4-inch-thick strips. Cut any extra-long pieces in half; the strips should be no longer than 3 to 4 inches. Add to the bowl with the marinade and stir to combine. Cover with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to overnight.
• About 30 minutes before finishing the dish, use tongs to transfer the steak to a large baking sheet lined with several layers of paper towels and arrange in a single layer. Lay additional paper towels on top to help absorb any excess marinade. Set aside to take the chill off the meat.
• Whisk together the beef broth, sesame oil, remaining 1/4 cup soy sauce, remaining 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine, remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar and a couple large grinds of pepper in a medium bowl; set aside.
• Finely mince the remaining 2 cloves garlic and add to a small bowl. Finely mince the remaining ginger and add to the same bowl. Set aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the canola oil in a large skillet over high heat. When the oil starts to shimmer, add a third of the steak strips in a single layer and cook until well-browned on the first side, about 1 minute. Flip and cook until browned on the second side, about 1 more minute. Transfer to a large plate. Cook the remaining steak in 2 additional batches, adding 1 1/2 teaspoons of canola oil per batch. Transfer to the plate.
• Lower the heat to medium high. Add the onion and a splash of water to the empty skillet and cook, scraping up any browned bits and stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Add the red and green bell peppers and cook, stirring frequently and adding another splash of water if the skillet starts to get too brown on the bottom, until the vegetables are crisp-tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and cook, stirring constantly, until softened, about 1 minute.
• Return the steak to the skillet and stir to combine. Whisk the cornstarch into the sauce, then pour it into the skillet. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce is thick and glossy, about 2 minutes. Transfer the pepper steak to a large serving platter and top with sliced scallions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately with a side of steamed rice.

CHINESE PEPPER STEAK

Steps:

• Make the marinade. In a large bowl, whisk together all the marinade ingredients except the London broil. Then add the London broil and set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Make the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients and set aside.
• Make the bean paste. In a large bowl, combine the garlic and black beans. Carefully grip the back of a cleaver and, using the handle like a pestle, work the garlic and beans into a smooth paste. Set aside.
• Make the stir-fry. In large wok, over high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. When the oil is smoking, add ginger and cook, stirring, until light brown, about 20 seconds. Add peppers and cook, stirring, until slightly tender, about 1 minute more. Transfer peppers to a bowl and set aside. Wipe out the wok, add the 2 remaining tablespoons oil and return it to the heat. When the oil is smoking, add the bean paste and cook, stirring, until light brown, about 20 seconds. Add the beef with the marinade, spread into an even layer and cook, tipping the wok back and forth, 1 minute. Turn the beef over and cook until brown, about 30 seconds more. Add the peppers and cook, stirring, until very tender, about 2 minutes. Push beef and peppers to the sides of the wok to form a well in the center. Pour the sauce mixture into the well and cook, stirring, until the liquid thickens and turns dark brown, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a platter and serve with rice.

CHINESE PEPPER STEAK

Steps:

• In a wok or skillet, stir-fry green peppers and onion in 1 tablespoon oil for 2-3 minutes. Add mushrooms; stir-fry 1 minute longer. Remove and keep warm., Season the beef with salt and pepper. In the same skillet, stir-fry the beef and garlic in remaining oil for 6-8 minutes or until no longer pink; drain., Combine the cornstarch, apple juice and water until smooth; stir into the beef mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1 minute or until thickened. Return the vegetables to the pan; heat through. Serve over the rice.

CLASSIC CHINESE PEPPER STEAK

Steps:

• 1. Cut beef across grain into thin strips (or bites). Heat 1 tablespoon of oil into a wok/skillet over high heat.
• 2. Add beef and stir-fry for 1 minute; remove from pan. Add other 1 tablespoon of oil in same pan. Add peppers and onions; stir-fry for 5 minutes.
• 3. Stir in beef and 1/4 cup of sauce; cook and stir until vegetables and beef are coated and warm. Serve immediately.

CHINESE PEPPER STEAK

Steps:

• Slice the steak into 1/2-inch thick slices across the grain.
• Whisk together soy sauce, sugar, cornstarch, and ginger in a bowl until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is smooth. Place the steak slices into the marinade, and stir until well-coated.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat, and place 1/3 of the steak strips into the hot oil. Cook and stir until the beef is well-browned, about 3 minutes, and remove the beef from the wok to a bowl. Repeat twice more, with the remaining beef, and set the cooked beef aside.
• Return all the cooked beef to the hot wok, and stir in the onion. Toss the beef and onion together until the onion begins to soften, about 2 minutes, then stir in the green pepper. Cook and stir the mixture until the pepper has turned bright green and started to become tender, about 2 minutes, then add the tomatoes, stir everything together, and serve.