Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions is a flavorful and vibrant dish that features tender steak, crisp onions, and a spicy, savory sauce. It’s typically served sizzling hot on a platter, making for an exciting presentation and delicious meal. Here’s a recipe to make it at home:
Ingredients:
For the Steak and Vegetables:
- 1 lb (450g) flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced (optional, for extra color and flavor)
- 1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for stir-frying)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch (optional, for coating the beef)
For the Marinade:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
For the Sauce:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or more to taste)
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions:
1. Marinate the beef:
- In a bowl, combine the marinade ingredients (soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, and black pepper).
- Add the sliced beef to the bowl and toss to coat. Let it marinate for at least 20 minutes, or up to 1 hour for more flavor.
2. Prepare the sauce:
- In a small bowl, mix together the sauce ingredients (soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, black pepper, and cornstarch-water mixture).
- Stir well to dissolve the cornstarch and sugar, and set aside.
3. Cook the beef:
- Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil.
- If you like, you can coat the beef slices lightly with cornstarch before cooking to give the beef a slightly crispy texture.
- Once the oil is hot, add the marinated beef slices in a single layer. Let it sear without stirring for 1-2 minutes, then stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes until the beef is cooked through and browned on the edges.
- Remove the beef from the pan and set it aside.
4. Cook the vegetables:
- In the same pan, add another tablespoon of oil and sauté the onions and bell peppers (if using) over medium-high heat for about 4-5 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender yet still crisp.
5. Combine and finish the dish:
- Return the cooked beef to the pan with the onions and peppers.
- Pour the sauce over the beef and vegetables and stir well to coat everything evenly.
- Let the sauce simmer for 1-2 minutes until it thickens and the flavors meld together.
6. Serve:
- Serve the Chinese pepper steak with onions immediately, preferably on a sizzling platter for a dramatic effect (heat the platter in the oven before serving).
- Serve with steamed rice or noodles to complete the meal.
Tips:
- Sizzling presentation: If you want the dish to be served sizzling, heat a cast-iron skillet in the oven until it’s very hot. Once the dish is ready, pour it onto the hot skillet to create a sizzling sound when served.
- Vegetable options: You can add other vegetables such as mushrooms, snow peas, or baby corn to enhance the dish.
- Spicy kick: If you like extra heat, increase the amount of crushed red pepper or add fresh chili peppers to the stir-fry.
This Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak with Onions is sure to impress with its savory flavors and sizzling presentation! Enjoy your homemade takeout-style dish!