March 22, 2012

Beef Broccoli

Posted by HI Cookery under 03 March | Tags: , , , , , , |
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Beef Broccoli

Beef Broccoli

March 22: We Love Broccoli Day

When Islander and her brother, Kahuna, were little, Daddy would stir-fry some seafood or meat with flavorful brown sauces. He would also throw in a variety of vegetables for his finicky children to try. One dish the family loved was Chinese-style beef broccoli. Daddy still prepares it for us sometimes whenever we visit him and Mommy in Hawaii, although we do know how to make this on the mainland, too! For a blog post on We Love Broccoli Day, we share a family-favorite recipe for Beef Broccoli.

Recipe

(Inspired by Daddy)

For the beef marinade

  • 1 pound of beef
  • ½ teaspoon of baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sherry
  • 1 tablespoon oil (vegetable or canola)
  • 2 teaspoons oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon tapioca flour or corn starch

 Directions

Slice the beef into thin strips. In a medium bowl, mix the meat with the baking soda. In another bowl, combine the soy sauce, sherry, oil and oyster sauce. Mix this marinade into the beef.  Sprinkle in the tapioca flour or corn starch to thicken the marinade slightly. Set aside and make the cooking sauce.

Beef Broccoli

For the cooking sauce

  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2-3 tablespoons of chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 2 teaspoons sherry
  •  1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 2 tablespoons oil (vegetable or canola)

Directions

In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix the soy sauce, chicken broth, oyster sauce, sherry and oil. In another dish or measuring cup, make a paste with the corn starch and water. Set aside. Heat the two tablespoons of oil in a skillet or wok. Brown the beef in batches, adding a little more oil if needed. Transfer the beef to a bowl and keep warm.

Beef Broccoli

For the vegetables

  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, freshly grated
  • 2-3 cups of broccoli florets (we used pre-cut packaged broccoli)

Directions

In the same skillet or work, saute the garlic and ginger for a few seconds before pouring in the cooking sauce. Stir in the corn starch paste to thicken. Return the beef strips to the skillet or wok and mix well until coated in the sauce. Lower the heat and toss in the broccoli. Cover for about five minutes to partially steam the broccoli until it is still fresh and crisp. Transfer to a serving platter. Serve hot with steamed white rice.

Beef Broccoli

Notes

  • Substitutions may include rice wine or sake for the sherry and Chinese broccoli for the regular broccoli.
 

March 22, 2011

Broccoli with Corn, Garlic and Lemon

Posted by HI Cookery under 03 March | Tags: , |
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Broccoli with Corn, Garlic and Lemon

Broccoli

March 22: We Love Broccoli Day

Highlander’s Mum made it her mission to prepare balanced meals for the family as much as possible. Vegetables were frequently included as a side dish. She encouraged Highlander to continue healthy eating habits when he grew up, moved away and lived on his own. So she gave him a cookbook, Healthy Home Cooking, as a bachelor gift. Since he loves broccoli, Highlander mixed it with corn, garlic and lemon by following one of the recipes in the cookbook. He also prepared it for his finicky wife, Islander, who came to love the color contrast and taste of this vegetable mix as well. Declare your love for broccoli today with this dish!

Recipe

(Adapted from Healthy Home Cooking by the Editors of Prevention Magazine)

Ingredients

  • 1 lemon
  • 3 cups broccoli florets
  • ¾ cup frozen corn kernels
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Peel the lemon in three wide strips. Slice the strips thinly to yield about one tablespoon of zest. Reserve half the lemon for its juice. Fill a large skillet with half an inch of water. Cover and bring to a boil over the stove top. Cook the broccoli, turning occasionally, for about three minutes. Add the corn and cook everything for another minute.

Broccoli

Drain the cooked broccoli and corn in a colander. Transfer to a serving bowl and keep warm. Slice the garlic cloves into thin pieces. In a small skillet, saute the garlic in the oil over medium heat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Mix in the lemon strips. Squeeze about a tablespoon of lemon juice into the skillet. Remove from heat and pour the garlic oil mixture over the broccoli and corn.  Serve hot and fresh as a side dish.

Broccoli

Notes

  • Thanks to Mum for the cookbook.
  • “We Love Broccoli Day” is observed on March 22, according to the calendar on the site Holidays for Everyday.