Sesame Beef With Asparagus

Total Time: 50 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 6 ounces boneless beef shoulder, trimmed, frozen 30 minutes to 1 hour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 large garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 tablespoons garlic, chopped
• 1 egg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 5 teaspoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon peanut oil
• 4 cups peanut oil, for deep-frying
• 3/4 teaspoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons thin soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons shaoxing wine or 2 tablespoons dry sherry
• 2 teaspoons chinese black vinegar or 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon chinese sesame paste
• 1/4 lb pencil-thin asparagus tips (top 4 inches only)
• 1/2 small red bell pepper, very thinly sliced
• 4 dried red chili peppers
• 3 scallions, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, chopped

Recipe

• 1 slice steak into broad 1/8-inch thick strips, about 1 inch wide and 6 inches long. in a small bowl combine steak strips with baking soda, crushed garlic cloves and 1/4 cup cold water. mix well and soak 5 hours.
• 2 rinse steak slices and dry well on paper towels. in a small bowl mix together egg and salt, stirring vigorously until egg foams. stir in sesame seeds, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon peanut oil and cornstarch. add steak and toss to coat. marinate 1/2 hour at room temperature. in another small bowl, combine thin soy sauce, shao hsing, remaining 4 teaspoons sugar, vinegar, sesame oil and sesame paste; set aside.
• 3 in a wok, heat remaining 4 cups peanut oil over high heat to 375°f drain beef, pat dry then deep-fry 45 seconds, turning pieces several times with a metal spoon. using a slotted spoon, remove beef and drain on paper towels. when oil returns to 375f, deep-fry 15 seconds more, remove beef, and drain. repeat deep-frying, 15 seconds, a third time. remove beef and drain on clean paper towels. when oil returns to 375 degrees, deep-fry asparagus and red bell pepper 30 seconds. drain on paper towels.
• 4 drain off all but 1 tablespoon oil from wok and increase heat to high. add chili peppers, scallions, chopped garlic and chopped ginger; stir-fry 1 minute. add asparagus and red pepper; stir-fry 10 seconds and add beef. stir in soy sauce mixture, bring to a boil and serve immediately with rice.