Asparagus Beef Chinese Recipe: A Quick and Easy Stir-Fry

Asparagus beef is a popular Chinese recipe that is easy to make and can be prepared in just 30 minutes. This dish is made with tender beef and fresh asparagus, cooked in a delicious brown sauce that is both sweet and savoury. Asparagus beef is a great option for anyone looking to try a new Chinese dish, or for those who are looking for a quick and easy meal to make at home.

When making asparagus beef, it is important to choose the right ingredients. Look for fresh asparagus that is bright green in colour and has a firm texture. For the beef, choose a tender cut such as sirloin or flank steak. You can also substitute the beef with chicken or seafood if you prefer.

To prepare the dish, start by marinating the beef in a mixture of soy sauce, cornstarch, and rice wine. This will help to tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavour. Then, stir-fry the beef and asparagus in a wok or large skillet until the vegetables are tender and the beef is cooked through. Serve the dish over rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Key Takeaways

• Asparagus beef is a popular Chinese recipe that is easy to make and can be prepared in just 30 minutes.
• Choose fresh asparagus and tender beef for the best results, and consider substituting the beef with chicken or seafood.
• Marinate the beef and stir-fry the ingredients in a wok or large skillet for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Choosing the Right Ingredients

When it comes to making a delicious asparagus beef Chinese recipe, choosing the right ingredients is key. Here are some tips on selecting the best ingredients for your dish.

Selecting Quality Beef

To ensure your beef is tender and flavourful, it's important to choose the right cut of meat. Flank steak, sirloin steak and top round steak are all great options for stir-frying. Look for cuts that are well-marbled and bright red in colour. If you're feeling adventurous, you could even try using seafood such as shrimp or scallops as a delicious alternative.

Fresh Asparagus and Vegetables

When selecting asparagus and other vegetables for your dish, choose the freshest produce you can find. Look for firm, bright green asparagus spears with tightly closed tips. Other vegetables such as garlic, onion and ginger should also be fresh and free from bruises or soft spots.

Essential Chinese Sauces and Oils

To give your asparagus beef Chinese recipe an authentic flavour, you'll need to use the right sauces and oils. Sesame oil, Shaoxing wine, oyster sauce, soy sauce and cornstarch are all essential ingredients for stir-frying. Be sure to use high-quality sauces and oils for the best flavour.

By following these tips for selecting quality ingredients, you'll be well on your way to making a delicious asparagus beef Chinese recipe. Don't be afraid to experiment with different cuts of meat or seafood to find the perfect combination of flavours.

Preparation Techniques

Marinating the Beef

Marinating the beef is an essential step in making asparagus beef. It helps to tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavour. To marinate the beef, you will need to mix together some soy sauce, cornstarch, garlic, fresh ginger, sesame seeds, sugar, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Then, add the sliced beef to the mixture and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Seafood lovers can also use prawns or scallops in place of beef.

Preparing the Vegetables

The vegetables in this recipe include asparagus, which is the star of the dish, and other vegetables like onions, celery, and cauliflower. To prepare the asparagus, wash it and cut about an inch off the bottom ends, depending on how tender they are. You can also use a vegetable peeler to peel the bottom of each stalk. Cut the asparagus into 2-inch pieces. Cut the other vegetables into bite-sized pieces.

Creating the Stir-Fry Sauce

The stir-fry sauce is what brings all the flavours together in this dish. To create the sauce, you will need to mix together some soy sauce, cold water, cornstarch, ginger, garlic, and brown sugar until completely combined. Set the mixture aside. In a large skillet or wok, heat some oil over high heat. Add the marinated beef and stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes or until no longer pink. Remove the beef with a slotted spoon and keep it warm. Add the vegetables to the skillet and stir-fry them for a few minutes until they are tender-crisp. Add the stir-fry sauce to the skillet and stir until the sauce thickens. Then, add the beef back to the skillet and stir everything together.

Seafood lovers can also use prawns or scallops in place of beef. Prawns or scallops should be cooked for about 2-3 minutes or until they turn pink.

Cooking the Dish

Stir-Frying Basics

To cook the Asparagus Beef Chinese recipe, you will need to stir-fry the ingredients. Stir-frying is a quick and easy cooking technique that involves cooking small pieces of food quickly over high heat in a wok or frying pan. The wok is the traditional pan used for stir-frying, but a frying pan can also be used if you don't have a wok.

To stir-fry, you will need to heat your wok or frying pan over high heat until it is hot. Add oil to the pan and swirl it around to coat the surface. Once the oil is hot, add your ingredients and stir-fry them quickly until they are cooked through.

Combining Ingredients

To make the Asparagus Beef Chinese recipe, you will need beef, asparagus, and a few other ingredients. You can use any cut of beef that you like, but flank steak or sirloin steak are good choices. Cut the beef into thin strips and marinate it in a mixture of soy sauce, rice wine, and cornstarch for at least 30 minutes.

Trim the asparagus and cut it into 2-inch pieces. Heat your wok or frying pan over high heat and add oil. Once the oil is hot, add the beef and stir-fry it until it is browned. Remove the beef from the pan and set it aside.

Add more oil to the pan if necessary and add the asparagus. Stir-fry the asparagus for a few minutes until it is tender-crisp. Add garlic and ginger to the pan and stir-fry for another minute. Return the beef to the pan and stir-fry everything together.

Final Touches

To finish the Asparagus Beef Chinese recipe, you will need to add a few final touches. Add a mixture of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar to the pan and stir-fry everything together until the sauce is thickened and the ingredients are coated. Serve the Asparagus Beef Chinese recipe over hot cooked rice or noodles.

If you want to add seafood to the recipe, you can use shrimp or scallops. Add them to the pan after you have stir-fried the asparagus and cook them until they are pink and cooked through.

Nutritional Information

If you're watching your diet, you'll be pleased to know that this asparagus beef Chinese recipe is a healthy and nutritious option. Here's a breakdown of the nutritional information for this dish:

• Calories: One serving of asparagus beef contains around 350-400 calories, which makes it a filling meal that won't ruin your daily calorie intake.
• Cholesterol: Beef is a good source of protein, but it can also be high in cholesterol. However, this recipe uses lean beef, which makes it a healthier option.
• Sodium: This dish is relatively low in sodium, which is great news if you're watching your salt intake.
• Carbohydrate: The asparagus in this dish provides a good source of carbohydrates, which will give you the energy you need to power through your day.
• Protein: Beef is an excellent source of protein, and this dish is no exception. It's a great way to get your daily dose of this essential nutrient.
• Fibre: The asparagus in this dish is a good source of fibre, which is essential for maintaining a healthy digestive system.
• Fat: While beef can be high in fat, this recipe uses lean beef and minimal oil, making it a healthier option.

If you're looking to mix things up, you could also try adding seafood to this dish. Shrimp or scallops would be a great addition, as they pair well with asparagus and beef. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly, as seafood cooks much faster than beef. Overall, this dish is a healthy and delicious option that's sure to please everyone at the dinner table.

Serving Suggestions

Accompaniments

Asparagus beef is a delicious Chinese recipe that can be served with a variety of accompaniments. Rice is the classic choice, and it provides a perfect base for the dish. You can use white rice, brown rice, or even jasmine rice to complement the flavours of the dish. Alternatively, you can serve the beef with noodles, which can be stir-fried or boiled.

To add some extra vegetables to your meal, you can serve the beef with green beans, carrots, mushrooms, celery, or cabbage. These vegetables can be stir-fried with the beef or served on the side as a salad. You can also sprinkle some sesame seeds on top of the dish for added texture and flavour.

If you want to make the dish more interesting, you can propose the use of seafood in the recipe. Prawns or shrimps can be added to the dish to give it a seafood twist. The combination of asparagus, beef, and prawns is simply irresistible.

Presentation Tips

When it comes to presentation, you can get creative and make the dish look visually appealing. You can serve the beef in a large bowl or on a platter, garnished with some fresh herbs or chopped scallions. You can also add some colour to the dish by serving it with a side of steamed broccoli or roasted red peppers.

To make the dish look even more appetizing, you can arrange the beef and vegetables in a circular pattern on the plate. You can also use a variety of serving dishes, such as small bowls or ramekins, to add some visual interest to the meal.

In conclusion, asparagus beef is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of accompaniments. Whether you choose rice, noodles, or vegetables, the dish is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So, get creative with your presentation, and enjoy this delicious Chinese recipe!

Frequently Asked Questions

How can you make a simple beef and asparagus stir-fry?

A simple beef and asparagus stir-fry can be made by slicing beef into thin strips and marinating it with soy sauce, cornstarch, and rice wine. Then, heat oil in a wok or skillet and stir-fry the beef until it's browned. Remove the beef from the pan and stir-fry the asparagus until it's tender. Add the beef back to the pan and season with oyster sauce, salt, and pepper. Serve hot with rice.

What's the best way to serve beef and asparagus stir-fry with rice?

The best way to serve beef and asparagus stir-fry with rice is to place the rice in a bowl and spoon the stir-fry on top. You can also serve it on a plate and arrange the rice and stir-fry side by side. Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds for added flavour.

Can you suggest a good beef cut for a Chinese stir-fry?

For a Chinese stir-fry, it's best to use beef cuts that are tender and cook quickly, such as flank steak, sirloin, or ribeye. Slice the beef against the grain for maximum tenderness.

What's the trick to tenderising beef before stir-frying?

The trick to tenderising beef before stir-frying is to marinate it with a mixture of soy sauce, cornstarch, and rice wine. The soy sauce helps to flavour the beef, while the cornstarch and rice wine help to tenderise it.

How do you incorporate oyster sauce into a beef and asparagus stir-fry?

To incorporate oyster sauce into a beef and asparagus stir-fry, simply add it to the pan after stir-frying the beef and asparagus. Stir the sauce into the pan and cook for an additional minute to allow the flavours to meld together.

Any tips for a tasty beef asparagus roll-up dish?

For a tasty beef asparagus roll-up dish, you can wrap thinly sliced beef around asparagus spears and secure with a toothpick. Season with salt and pepper, and grill or broil until the beef is cooked to your liking. Alternatively, you can also wrap seafood such as prawns or scallops around asparagus spears for a delicious variation.