Beef Broccoli Recipe Chinese Style: Basic and Easy-to-Follow Cooking Preparations

Beef and broccoli is a popular dish in Chinese cuisine, loved for its tender beef, crisp broccoli, and delicious sauce. It is a quick and easy dish to make, perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. If you're looking for a simple yet flavourful recipe to try, beef and broccoli is a great option.

To make beef and broccoli, you'll need to select the right ingredients, prepare them properly, and cook them to perfection. The dish typically involves marinating the beef, blanching the broccoli, and stir-frying everything together with a rich sauce. With the right techniques and a bit of practice, you can make a restaurant-quality beef and broccoli dish in the comfort of your own home.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can also experiment with adding seafood to your beef and broccoli recipe. Shrimp, scallops, or squid can be great additions to the dish, adding a unique flavour and texture. Just be sure to select fresh, high-quality seafood and add it to the dish at the appropriate time to ensure it cooks properly.

Key Takeaways

• Beef and broccoli is a simple yet flavourful Chinese dish that is perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
• Selecting the right ingredients, preparing them properly, and cooking them to perfection are key to making a delicious beef and broccoli dish.
• Seafood can be a great addition to your beef and broccoli recipe, adding a unique flavour and texture.

Understanding Beef and Broccoli

If you're a fan of Chinese cuisine, you've probably come across the famous dish of beef and broccoli. This dish is a staple in Chinese-American restaurants and is loved by many for its delicious taste and nutritional value.

Origins of Chinese Beef and Broccoli

Beef and broccoli is a Chinese dish that has become popular in America. The dish originated in China, where it is known as "xiāng ròu xiǎng cài" (香肉香菜). It is a stir-fry dish that consists of marinated beef and blanched broccoli, cooked in a savoury sauce made from oyster sauce, soy sauce, and rice wine.

The dish has gained popularity in America due to its delicious taste and nutritional value. It is a healthy dish that is high in protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Nutritional Value

Beef and broccoli is a healthy dish that is high in protein and low in fat. It is also a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin K, and iron.

If you're looking to add more seafood to your diet, you can try adding shrimp or scallops to the dish. These seafood options pair well with the beef and broccoli and add a delicious flavour to the dish.

Selecting Ingredients

When it comes to making a delicious Chinese-style beef and broccoli stir fry, selecting the right ingredients is key. Here are some tips to help you choose the best ingredients for your dish.

Best Cuts of Beef for Stir Fry

For the best results, it is important to choose the right cut of beef for your stir fry. Look for cuts that are tender and have a good amount of marbling, such as sirloin, flank steak, or ribeye. Avoid tougher cuts of beef, such as stewing beef, as they will not cook as well and may be too chewy.

Choosing Fresh Broccoli

When selecting broccoli for your stir fry, look for fresh, firm heads with tight florets. Avoid broccoli that is wilted or has yellowing florets, as this is a sign that it is past its prime. If possible, choose organic broccoli to ensure that it is free from harmful pesticides and chemicals.

Sauce Components

The sauce is what brings the dish together, so it is important to choose the right components. A typical Chinese-style beef and broccoli stir fry sauce will include soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, sherry, and shaoxing wine. Be sure to use high-quality ingredients to ensure that your sauce is rich and flavourful.

If you are looking to add some seafood to your beef and broccoli stir fry, consider using shrimp or scallops. These seafood options pair well with the beef and broccoli, and can add a delicious flavour and texture to the dish.

Just be sure to cook the seafood separately before adding it to the stir fry to ensure that it is cooked through.

Preparation Techniques

Marinating the Beef

Marinating the beef is an essential step in creating a delicious Chinese-style beef and broccoli dish. To marinate the beef, you will need to mix together soy sauce, rice wine, cornstarch, and baking soda. The soy sauce adds a salty umami flavour, while the rice wine helps to tenderize the meat. The cornstarch helps to create a crispy crust on the beef when it is seared, and the baking soda helps to further tenderize the meat.

If you want to add a seafood twist to the recipe, you can also marinate some prawns or scallops along with the beef. The seafood will add a sweet and succulent flavour to the dish.

Blanching Broccoli

Blanching broccoli is another important step in creating a Chinese-style beef and broccoli dish. Blanching the broccoli helps to soften it slightly, making it easier to stir-fry. To blanch the broccoli, bring a pot of water to a boil, then add the broccoli and cook for 1-2 minutes, until it turns bright green. Remove the broccoli from the water and transfer it to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.

If you want to add some variety to the dish, you can also blanch some other vegetables, such as snow peas or baby corn, along with the broccoli. This will add some extra colour and texture to the dish.

Velveting Meat

Velveting is a technique used to create tender and juicy meat in stir-fry dishes. To velvet the beef, you will need to mix together egg white, cornstarch, and rice wine. Then, add the beef to the mixture and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. When you are ready to cook the beef, blanch it in boiling water for 1-2 minutes, then rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process.

If you want to add some seafood to the dish, you can velvet some squid or shrimp along with the beef. This will add a chewy and slightly sweet flavour to the dish.

By following these preparation techniques, you can create a delicious Chinese-style beef and broccoli dish that is sure to impress.

Cooking the Dish

Stir-Frying Fundamentals

To start, you'll need a wok or a skillet to stir-fry the beef and broccoli. A wok is traditionally used in Chinese cooking, but a skillet can work just as well. Heat the wok or skillet over high heat until it's hot enough to sear the beef.

Next, add cooking oil to the wok or skillet. Peanut oil is a popular choice, but you can also use vegetable oil or canola oil if you prefer. Swirl the oil around the wok or skillet to coat the surface evenly.

Combining Ingredients

Once the oil is hot, add the marinated beef to the wok or skillet. Stir-fry the beef for a few minutes until it's browned on the outside. Then, add the blanched broccoli to the wok or skillet.

Pour the sauce into the wok or skillet and quickly mix everything together. Let the sauce simmer for a minute or two until it thickens. If you like, you can add other vegetables like carrots or bell peppers to the dish for extra flavour and nutrition.

Achieving the Perfect Sear

To achieve the perfect sear on the beef, make sure the wok or skillet is hot enough before adding the beef. You should hear a sizzling sound when the beef hits the surface of the wok or skillet.

Don't overcrowd the wok or skillet with too much beef at once. This can cause the beef to steam instead of sear, resulting in a chewy texture. Instead, stir-fry the beef in batches to ensure each piece gets a chance to sear properly.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can also try adding seafood to the dish. Shrimp or scallops would be a great addition to the beef and broccoli stir-fry. Just make sure to cook the seafood separately before adding it to the wok or skillet to avoid overcooking it.

Serving and Pairing

Accompaniments

Beef and broccoli Chinese-style is a hearty and filling dish that is perfect for a weeknight dinner. To complete your meal, you can serve it with steamed rice or noodles. If you opt for rice, jasmine or long-grain white rice would be a great choice. For noodles, chow mein or egg noodles would be a good option.

If you want to add more vegetables to your meal, you can serve it with gai lan (Chinese broccoli) or any other stir-fried greens. You can also add some seafood to your dish, such as shrimp or scallops, to give it a more complex flavour.

Presentation Tips

When serving beef and broccoli, it's important to present it in an attractive way. You can place the beef and broccoli on a large platter and garnish it with some chopped spring onions or coriander leaves. You can also sprinkle some sesame seeds over the top for added texture and flavour.

To make your meal more interesting, you can serve some side dishes along with the beef and broccoli. Some good options include vegetable spring rolls, dumplings, or a simple cucumber salad.

Overall, beef and broccoli Chinese-style is a versatile and delicious dish that can be paired with a variety of accompaniments. Whether you choose to serve it with rice, noodles, or vegetables, it's sure to be a hit at your dinner table.

Frequently Asked Questions

What ingredients are needed for a traditional beef and broccoli sauce?

The sauce for beef and broccoli is a simple combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, cornstarch, and chicken broth. You can also add garlic, ginger, and sesame oil for extra flavour. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even add seafood like shrimp or scallops to the sauce.

How can you make your beef and broccoli as tender as the ones in Chinese takeaways?

The secret to tenderizing the beef is to slice it thinly and marinate it in a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, and cornstarch for at least 30 minutes. You can also add a pinch of baking soda to the marinade to help break down the proteins and make the beef even more tender.

What's the secret to getting crispy broccoli in a stir-fry?

The key to getting crispy broccoli is to blanch it in boiling water for 30 seconds before stir-frying it. This helps to remove any bitterness and ensures that the broccoli cooks evenly. You can also add a splash of oil to the wok and stir-fry the broccoli over high heat until it's lightly charred.

Could you guide me through preparing a simple beef and broccoli dish?

Sure! Start by marinating thinly sliced beef in a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, and cornstarch for at least 30 minutes. Blanch broccoli florets in boiling water for 30 seconds, then drain and set aside. Heat a wok over high heat and add oil. Stir-fry the beef until browned, then add garlic and ginger. Add the blanched broccoli and stir-fry for another minute or two. Pour in the sauce and cook until thickened. Serve over steamed rice.

What are the steps to thicken the sauce in a beef and broccoli recipe?

To thicken the sauce, mix cornstarch with cold water and stir until smooth. Add the cornstarch slurry to the sauce and stir until it thickens. Be careful not to add too much cornstarch, or the sauce will become too thick and gloopy.

What's the best way to replicate takeout-style beef and broccoli at home?

To replicate takeout-style beef and broccoli, make sure to slice the beef thinly and marinate it for at least 30 minutes. Blanch the broccoli before stir-frying it, and make sure to stir-fry everything over high heat to get that smoky flavour. Use a combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and cornstarch to make the sauce, and add a pinch of baking soda to the marinade to make the beef extra tender. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even add seafood like shrimp or scallops to the sauce for extra flavour.