Beef Stir Fry

My wonderful husband loves chinese food... on the rare occasion that we go out to eat (I know I'm weird cause I hate going out to eat ) he always wants chinese food... I am so less than impressed with any of the chinese places around for the exception of Cantonese Gourmet in Flint but it is so far away from my home and with the price of gas we hardly ever go there...we have tried some other places in our area and all I can say is yuck.... overcooked, greasy, bland tasteless food....not my idea of good chinese... I so love Chinatown in Chicago... but again long, long way from my house... so I have been trying to make more chinese food at home... starting with my homemade egg rolls (check them out from my blog's archives).  
I found fresh stir fry vegetables on sale (which is a bonus) don't know if you've seen them before they are next to the bagged salad mixes at my store.  They have broccoli, carrots & snow peas all precut and ready to go...I double check the snow peas for "strings"though...... which are fiborous string like pieces of the pea....  take each end and peel it across and sometimes the "strings "are not removed.  They are not edible and should be disgarded.  Sometimes I also cut the big broccoli pieces in half as well.  Use whatever vegetables you like.  I sometimes add green pepper slices, and sliced mushrooms to this recipe... use what you have or like.. (or you can use a frozen bag of stir fry veggies, thawed and drained).  Also, the recipe calls for apple juice, use what you have, you can use all apple juice, all orange juice, white grape juice etc... I just like the way a little orange & a little apple tastes... Marinating the meat really makes a big difference as well.  I have made it without marinading it with just mixing the seasoning up and then cooking the meat right away and the marinading makes the meat much juicier and more flavorful.    You can spice this up too by adding a little heat (hot sauce etc....) Totally up to you... This is just a base and you can go from there.  Enjoy



Beef Stir Fry

6 T. Oil (divided)
1 T, minced garlic (1 clove)
1 T. chili garlic sauce
1/4 tsp ground ginger (can use fresh also)
2. T. soy sauce
2 T. brown sugar
1 T. cornstarch
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup apple juice
2 T. white wine
salt & pepper to taste
1 lb. sirloin steak (I buy the thin version of this, makes it much easier to slice)
1/2 onion, sliced
1 stalk celery, thinly sliced
1 package fresh stir fry vegetables
cooked rice


In bowl whisk together, 2 T. oil, garlic, chili sauce, ginger, soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, wine & orange juice. Thinly slice across the grain the steak.  Place steak in marinade mixture tossing with a fork coating all of the meat.  Let marinate for around 1/2 hour. 
Prepare rice according to package directions.  In large wok or frying pan place 2 T. oil on medium high heat.  Heat pan until hot and add stir fry vegetables, celery & onion, adding salt & pepper to taste.  Stir vegetables and seasonings coating with the oil.  Cook 1-2 minutes then cover and turn heat down to medium for 3-4 minutes or until veggies are about a little over half done.  Remove veggies to a bowl.  In same skillet/wok turn heat to medium high adding remaining 2 T. of oil.  Heat until oil is hot, add meat mixture stirring the meat well.  Cook for 2-3 minutes stirring to cook meat.  Add apple juice to deglaze the pan, and add veggie mixture back in.  Stir mixture together and cook for 2-3 minutes , then covering and turning pan down to medium for 4-5 minutes or until meat is cooked, sauce is thickened and veggies are crisp/tender.  Turn off heat.  Serve over prepared rice.  Can add extra soy sauce as desired.  Enjoy