Recipes

Hunan Beef with Asparagus and Mixed Chiles

Name: Hunan Beef with Asparagus and Mixed Chiles
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 1 1/4 pounds sirloin steak, sliced across the grain 1/8 inch thick; Cornstarch, for coating; 1/4 cup beef stock or low-sodium broth; 2 tablespoons Chinese black vinegar or malt vinegar; 1 1/2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce; 1 tablespoon dry sherry; 1 tablespoon oyster sauce; 1 teaspoon sambal oelek or other Asian chile sauce; Canola oil, for frying; 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger; 2 garlic cloves; 1 jalapeño, minced; 4 dried Thai chiles; 1 large onion, halved lengthwise and sliced crosswise 1/4 inch thick; 1 pound asparagus, cut on the diagonal into 1 1/2-inch lengths; Salt; Steamed rice, for serving

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This spicy stir-fry is inspired by the Chinese-American take-out classic. Thinly sliced beef sirloin is coated in cornstarch and deep-fried until crisp, then it’s tossed with vegetables and a fiery sauce flavored with three kinds of chiles. Slideshow: Better Than Takeout Recipes

By

Justin Chapple

Updated on December 7, 2015

Hunan Beef with Asparagus and Mixed Chiles — Photo: © Heather Chontos

Total Time:

1 hr

Yield:

4

Ingredients

1 1/4 pounds sirloin steak, sliced across the grain 1/8 inch thick
Cornstarch, for coating
1/4 cup beef stock or low-sodium broth
2 tablespoons Chinese black vinegar or malt vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon dry sherry
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 teaspoon sambal oelek or other Asian chile sauce
Canola oil, for frying
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves
1 jalapeño, minced
4 dried Thai chiles
1 large onion, halved lengthwise and sliced crosswise 1/4 inch thick
1 pound asparagus, cut on the diagonal into 1 1/2-inch lengths
Salt
Steamed rice, for serving

Directions

In a shallow bowl, lightly coat the sirloin with cornstarch and let stand for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk the beef stock with the vinegar, soy sauce, sherry, oyster sauce and sambal oelek.
In a wok or large, deep skillet, heat 1 inch of oil until shimmering. Add half of the sirloin and fry over high heat, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp, about 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the sirloin to paper towels to drain. Repeat with the remaining sirloin.
Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of fat from the wok. Add the ginger, garlic, jalapeño and Thai chiles and stir-fry over high heat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the onion and asparagus and stir-fry until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Add the sirloin and the soy sauce mixture and simmer over high heat, stirring, until the sauce has thickened, about 2 minutes. Discard the dried chiles and season with salt. Transfer the Hunan beef to a platter and serve with rice.