Tangerine Stir-Fried Beef with Onions and Snow Peas

Tangerine Stir-Fried Beef with Onions and Snow Peas
from the Episode: Let's Do Chinese


Two to 3 oranges can be substituted for the tangerines. If available, substitute 1 teaspoon toasted and ground Sichuan peppercorns for the red pepper flakes.

Serves 4 as a main dish with rice 4 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon light brown sugar plus 1 additional teaspoon
12 ounces flank steak , cut into 2-inch wide strips with grain, then sliced across grain into 1/8-inch-thick slices
3/4 cup tangerine juice plus 1 teaspoon grated zest from 3 to 4 tangerines
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon cornstarch
3 medium garlic cloves , minced or pressed through garlic press (about 1 tablespoon)
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1 tablespoon black bean sauce
1/4-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (see note above)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large onion , halved and cut into 1/2-inch wedges
10 ounces snow peas , ends trimmed and strings removed (about 4 cups)
2 tablespoons water


See Illustrations Below: Browning Meat for Stir-Fries

1. Combine 2 tablespoons soy sauce and 1 teaspoon sugar in medium bowl. Add beef, toss well, and marinate for at least 10 minutes or up to 1 hour, stirring once. Meanwhile, whisk remaining 2 tablespoons soy sauce, remaining tablespoon sugar, tangerine juice, sesame oil, and cornstarch in medium bowl. Combine tangerine zest, garlic, ginger, black bean sauce, pepper flakes, and 1 teaspoon vegetable oil in small bowl.

2. Drain beef and discard liquid. Heat 1 teaspoon vegetable oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over high heat until just smoking. Add half of beef in single layer, breaking up clumps. Cook, without stirring, for 1 minute, then stir and cook until browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer beef to clean bowl. Heat 1 teaspoon vegetable oil in skillet and repeat with remaining beef. Rinse skillet and dry with paper towels.

3. Add remaining tablespoon vegetable oil to now-empty skillet and heat until just smoking. Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until beginning to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Add snow peas and continue to cook until spotty brown, about 2 minutes longer. Add water and cook until vegetables are crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Push vegetables to sides of skillet; add zest-garlic mixture to clearing and cook, mashing with spatula, until fragrant, 15 to 20 seconds. Combine zest-garlic mixture with vegetables. Return beef and any juices to skillet and stir to combine. Whisk sauce to recombine, then add to skillet; cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 30 seconds. Serve.




Step-by-Step: Browning Meat for Stir-Fries



Solution: Cooking the meat in two smaller batches allows it to brown quickly without drying out or becoming tough.
Problem: Cooking the meat in one large batch causes it to steam in its own liquid. The meat will be chewy, dry, and gray.