Chinese Chile Beef Stir-fry

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• preferably dark sauce
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp Chinese five spice powder
• 1lb (450g) beef round steak
• cut into thin strips
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 4 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/2 red bell pepper
• seeded and thinly sliced
• 1 fresh hot red chile
• seeded and finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove
• crushed and chopped
• 1 tsp peeled and grated fresh ginger
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 cup snow peas
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 1/2 cup beef stock
• Few drops of Asian sesame oil
• Wok or large deep frying pan

Instructions

1. Mix the soy sauce, vinegar, and five spice powder together in a bowl.
2. Add the beef and toss well.
3. Season well with black pepper.
4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 and up to 12 hours.
5. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a wok over high heat.
6. Add the bell pepper and stir-fry until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes.
7. Add the chile, garlic, and ginger and stir-fry for 1 minute.
8. Add the broccoli and snow peas and stir-fry for 2 minutes.
9. Transfer to a platter.
10. Add the remaining oil to the wok and heat over high heat.
11. Drain the beef from the marinade, reserving the marinade.
12. Add the beef to the wok and stir-fry for 1 minute.
13. Return the vegetables to the wok and pour in the marinade.
14. Dissolve the cornstarch in the stock, and stir into the wok.
15. Stir-fry the steak and vegetables until the sauce is boiling.
16. Transfer to a plate, drizzle with the sesame oil, and serve at once.
17. Variation:
18. Chicken Chile Stir-fry: Substitute skinless and boneless chicken breast for the beef.