Mongolian Beef

Mongolian Beef is a popular Chinese-American dish known for its savory, sweet, and slightly spicy flavors. It typically features tender slices of beef cooked with green onions in a rich sauce. Here’s a simple recipe for making Mongolian Beef at home:

Ingredients:

For the Beef Marinade:

• 1 pound flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

For the Sauce:

• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons hoisin sauce
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch

For Cooking:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for stir-frying)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
• 2 green onions, sliced into 1-inch pieces
• Red pepper flakes (optional, for extra spice)
• Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Beef:
   • In a bowl, combine the thinly sliced beef with soy sauce, cornstarch, and vegetable oil. Toss to coat the beef evenly. Let it marinate for about 15-20 minutes.
2. Prepare the Sauce:
   • In a separate bowl, whisk together soy sauce, water, brown sugar, hoisin sauce, and cornstarch until smooth. Set aside.
3. Stir-Fry the Beef:
   • Heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat.
   • Add the marinated beef and spread it out in a single layer. Allow it to sear for about 1-2 minutes per side until it’s browned and slightly crispy. Remove the beef from the pan and set it aside.
4. Sauté Garlic and Ginger:
   • In the same pan, add another tablespoon of oil if needed. Add the minced garlic and ginger, and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Cook the Sauce:
   • Give the sauce mixture a quick stir and then pour it into the pan. Allow the sauce to come to a simmer and thicken, stirring constantly.
6. Combine and Finish:
   • Once the sauce has thickened, add the cooked beef back to the pan. Toss the beef in the sauce until it’s well-coated and heated through.
7. Add Green Onions and Spice:
   • Add the sliced green onions and red pepper flakes (if using) to the pan. Stir-fry for another minute until the green onions are slightly wilted but still crisp.
8. Garnish and Serve:
   • If desired, sprinkle sesame seeds over the dish for garnish.
   • Serve the Mongolian Beef over steamed rice or noodles.

Enjoy your homemade Mongolian Beef with its rich and savory flavors! Feel free to customize the spice level and other ingredients according to your taste preferences.