Chinese Sweet and Sour Beef

Ya'll know how much I love Chinese food. This one is pretty dang top notch too! It's got a long ingredient list, but it's really not difficult to make and it's worth the extra prep! Here's what you need to make 6 servings:

Photo byIdge Mendiola

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef flank steak
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1 Tbl cornstarch
• 1 Tbl vegetable or olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp light soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp white pepper
• 1 large carrot, peeled and sliced thin (about 1/8")
• 1 small red or green pepper, cut into 1" pieces

• oil for frying
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 Tbl cornstarch
• 2 tsp vegetable or olive oil
• 1/4 tsp baking soda

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
• 1 Tbl vegetable or olive oil
• 2 1/2 tsp light soy sauce
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 garlic clove, minced or garlic paste
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 3 Tbl cornstarch
• 1, 8 oz can pineapple chunks, drained

Trim the fat from the beef and slice it into 2-inch strips along the grain. Next, cut the strips across the grain into thin slices, about 1/8 inch thick. In a medium to large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, cornstarch, oil, salt, soy sauce, and white pepper. Add the beef slices and stir until they are evenly coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the beef to marinate.

Heat enough vegetable oil in wok or large skillet to coat the bottom well (at least 1 inch). While it heats up to 350 degrees, Combine the flour, water, cornstarch, oil, and baking soda in a large bowl. Then, place beef slices in batter and coat well.

Fry in batches until golden brown, turning every 2-3 minutes. Transfer to paper towel lined platter to drain of excess.

Finally, in a medium saucepan, bring to a boil the sugar, broth, vinegar, oil, soy sauce, salt, and garlic. Mix the cornstarch and water to make a slurry, then whisk into sauce and continue to cook until it thickens. Add carrots and bell pepper slices and remove from heat. Let stand for about 2 minutes, then pour over fried beef slices and serve over rice.

Enjoy!

*Notes:

To cut prep/cooking time, you can make or buy pre-sliced beef, prepare vegetables and sauce mix prior.