Chinese Sichuan Beef
Sichuan, or Szechuan, a province in China known as the home of giant pandas, is also the birthplace of Sichuan pepper. Widely used in Asian cuisine, this unique spice is unrelated to traditional pepper and features a distinctive citrusy flavor. What sets it apart is its signature numbing sensation, adding an exciting twist to any dish. Sprinkle it over your meal or use it to elevate recipes with beans or mushrooms.
Ingredients
- 1 lb sirloin beef cut into thin strips
- 12 oz vegetables see below, cut into thin slices
- 6-8 oz noodles see below, cooked
- 2 tbsp cooking sherry or wine
- soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tsp corn starch or arrowroot
- vegetable oil or sesame oil
- salt
Sichuan Culinary Spice Kit
- [1] Ginger, star anise, cinnamon, fennel, cloves
- [2] Sichuan pepper
Suggested Vegetables
- Broccoli, carrots, mushrooms
Suggested Noodles
- Lo mein or any long thick noodles
Instructions
Marinade
- In a BOWL, mix beef with 1/4 cup soy sauce, Sichuan [1] spices, and up to half of the Sichuan [2] spices.
- Let marinate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Cook
- In a large PAN, heat 2 tbsp oil over high heat.
- Stir-fry beef (keep the marinade for later) for about 1 minute until it changes color.
- Take the beef out and set aside.
- In the same PAN, add 2 tbsp oil. Stir-fry vegetables over medium heat for 5 minutes.
- Add 1 tbsp soy sauce and sherry halfway.
- Add 1 cup of water, the marinade, and salt to taste.
- Cook over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are just cooked.
- Dissolve starch in 1 tbsp water. Add the slurry to the PAN. Mix well.
- Stir in the noodles. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes.
- Return the beef and cook for about 1 to 2 minutes until it's just cooked.
- Sprinkle some Sichuan [2] spices on the plated meal (optional).
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Substitute beef with chicken breast.
- Substitute beef with tofu (see below).
- Cut tofu into 1/2-inch cubes.
- Mix the marinade without the tofu.
- Drain the tofu for 30 minutes in a large strainer.
- In cooking step 1), bake the tofu in the OVEN at 350°F until it turns brown. Set aside.
- Continue with steps 2) to 4) without changes.
- In step 5) substitute beef for tofu.