This week, we're offering a trio of Asian-inspired recipes that are quick and delicious. Recipes like these are easy to make and filled with lots of great vegetables so you can enjoy a nutritious meal without really trying. We begin our journey with one of the standards: Beef & Broccoli. However, this one's got a lot going on with the sauce and the addition of multi-colored cherry tomatoes adds depth of flavor, texture, and color to the dish. What's not to love?
Broccoli and other vegetables from the same family find their way into so many Asian dishes because it is perfect for stir-frying, becoming a bright green crisp-tender nutritional powerhouse in minutes. In this recipe, thinly sliced beef steak also cooks up quickly and before you know it, you are spooning it over steamed rice and calling it a meal. Pro-tip: pop your steak in the freezer for 20-30 minutes before slicing it for easier, more even slicing in a snap!
I find that this is a good meal on its own, but a quick cucumber salad or an egg roll or the like can be a nice accompaniment if you'd like. I personally snag extra broccoli and tomatoes from the pan if I'm feeling extra hungry, but however you choose to serve it, enjoy!
Quick Beef & Broccoli
- ½ cup tamari or soy sauce
- ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
- ¼ cup pomegranate juice
- 2 tablespoons white miso paste
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 2-3 tablespoons Thai red curry paste
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound sirloin steak, thinly sliced
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 6 ounces halved mixed cherry tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
To make the sauce, combine the first 7 ingredients (tamari or soy sauce through toasted sesame oil) in a glass jar; screw the lid onto the jar and shake vigorously to combine. Set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the beef and cook, undisturbed, until seared, 2 minutes. Toss the meat; add the broccoli, onions, ginger, and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until fragrant.
Pour in the sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes, until the sauce coats the beef and broccoli. Add the cherry tomatoes and sesame seeds; toss to coat. Remove from the heat. Serve the beef and broccoli over steamed rice.
- Yields: 3-4 servings
- Preparation Time: 20 minutes