Sichuan Beef Recipes

SPICY SICHUAN BEEF STIR-FRY

Steps:

• Toss the steak with 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 1 teaspoon cornstarch in a large bowl. Combine the cucumber and celery in a separate bowl; set aside.
• Stir the black bean sauce with the remaining 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 1 teaspoon cornstarch, the cherry pepper brine and 1/4 cup water in a small bowl; set aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add the cucumber-celery mixture and cook, undisturbed, 1 minute. Toss and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in the same skillet. Add the steak in a single layer. Cook until browned on the bottom, about 1 minute. Toss and continue cooking, stirring, until just a few pink spots remain, 1 more minute. Add the garlic, ginger and peppercorns and cook, stirring, until the meat is cooked through, 1 to 2 more minutes. Add the black bean sauce mixture and cherry peppers and bring to a boil. Cook until glossy, about 1 minute. Toss in the cucumbers and celery.
• Serve the stir-fry over rice. Top with celery leaves.

SZECHUAN BEEF

Steps:

• Cut beef into thin slices (I do this when slightly frozen for more ease).
• Mix soy sauce, chili sauce, sherry, cornstarch, ginger, and pepper flakes in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Heat 1 T. oil in a wok. Add garlic and onions, stir fry 1 minute.
• Remove to a bowl with a slotted spoon. Add remaining oil to wok.
• Add meat a 1/3 at a time, stir frying until it loses it's red color.
• Place in bowl with onions.
• Add chili mixture to wok, heat until bubbly hot. Stir in meat and onion mixtures, stirring until sauce coats meat and onions and is warmed through.
• Serve over rice.

SZECHUAN BEEF

Steps:

• Toss beef with soy sauce, cornstarch, crushed red pepper and garlic in non-metal bowl. Cover and refrigerate 20 minutes.
• Heat oil in wok or large skillet over high heat. Stir fry beef until no longer pink, 5 minutes. Stir in broccoli, onions and water chestnuts; cook 2 minutes. Pour in broth, and bring to a boil. Stir in peanuts, cook one minute more, and serve.

SICHUAN BEEF

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Cut the beef julienne style, across the grain , into thin slices less than 1/4-inch thick and 2 1/2 to 3 inches long.
• Wash, peel, and julienne the carrots into thin strips about 1/8-inch thick and 2 1/2 to 3 inches long.
• Mince the ginger.
• Cut the scallion into lengths about 2 1/2 inches long, and then into thin shreds.
• In a small bowl, combine the bean sauce and chili paste or chili sauce. Set aside.
• Heat the wok on medium-high heat for at least 30 seconds. The wok is ready when you can feel the heat when holding the palm of your hand 2 to 3 inches above the wok's surface.
• Add 1 1/2 tablespoons oil to the heated wok by drizzling it down the sides. When the oil is hot, add the julienned carrots. Stir-fry for 2 minutes, stirring in the salt. (Do not brown the carrots.) Remove from the wok.
• Heat remaining 6 tablespoons of oil in the wok over medium-high to high heat. When the oil is hot, add the beef.
• Stir-fry for approximately 10 minutes, until the beef is crispy and dark brown and chewy (you will hear the beef sizzle as it dries out).
• Splash the beef with the rice wine or dry sherry during the later stages of cooking.
• Push the beef up to the sides and drain all but 2 tablespoons from the wok. Add the bean sauce and chili paste or sauce mixture, and stir-fry for a few seconds.
• Then add the ginger and scallions. Stir-fry for a few seconds, until aromatic, then return the carrots to the wok.
• Stir in the sugar and the roasted Szechuan peppercorns. Taste and adjust seasonings if desired.
• Serve hot and enjoy!

SZECHUAN SAUCE

Steps:

• Toast szechuan peppercorns in a hot dry skillet over medium heat, until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Crush.
• Place all ingredients in a medium bowl or small jar and whisk until well combined.
• If using as a stir-fry sauce, and you would like to thicken it, whisk in 2 teaspoons cornstarch.
• If using as a marinade, forgo the cornstarch and make sure to season what you are marinating ( chicken, tofu, beef) with salt. The marinade alone will probably not be salty enough.
• If making a stir-fry, try adding a few dry Chinese or Arbol chilies (5-10) to the stir-fry, right before adding the Szechuan Sauce. Do not eat the chilis. ????

REAL-DEAL SZECHUAN BEEF STIR FRY

Steps:

• Beat the egg in a medium sized bowl. Add the sliced beef, vegetable oil, and salt. Mix well and let marinate for 15 to 20 minutes while preparing the other ingredients.
• Combine everything for the sauce in a big bowl and mix well.
• When you're ready to cook, drain the extra liquid from the bowl of beef. Add the cornstarch. Stir to coat the beef, until it forms an uneven coating with a little dry cornstarch left unattached.
• Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet (or a cast iron pan) over medium high heat until hot. Add the beef and spread into a single layer in the skillet. Separate the beef pieces with a pair of tongs or chopsticks.
• Cook without touching the beef for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the bottom turns golden. Flip to brown the other side, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the beef to a big plate and remove the pan from the stove. Let cool for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Place the pan back onto the stove and turn to medium heat. You should still have 1 to 2 tablespoons of oil in the pan. If not, add more.
• Add the onion, pepper, and dried chili pepper. Cook and stir for 1 minute.
• Add the ginger and garlic. Stir a few times to release the fragrance.
• Stir the sauce again to dissolve the cornstarch completely. Pour into the pan. Stir and cook until it thickens a bit.
• Add back the beef pieces. Stir to coat beef with sauce.
• Transfer everything to a plate immediately and garnish with roasted sesame seeds, if using.
• Serve hot over steamed rice as a main dish.