If you’re a fan of tender, succulent beef dishes but don’t have hours to spare, then you’re in for a treat. In this article, we’ll unveil the Chinese secret to softening even the toughest beef in just 5 minutes. We’ll guide you through the process step by step, and by the end, you’ll be able to create a mouthwatering, restaurant-quality beef dish right in your own kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
To get started, gather the following ingredients:
- 500g/1 pound Beef
- 1 tsp Baking soda
- 1 Onion
- 1 tbsp Butter
- 1/2 Red bell pepper
- 1/2 Green bell pepper
Sauce:
- 1 big clove garlic or 2 small
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 1/4 tsp Red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tbsp Chili sauce
Step by Step Instructions:
Now that you have all the ingredients ready, let’s dive into the cooking process:
1. Preparing the Beef
- Start with 500g/1 pound of beef.
- Transfer the meat to a bowl.
- Add 1 tsp of baking soda.
- Rub the baking soda on your meat, ensuring all sides are covered. Baking soda acts as a meat tenderizer by changing the physical composition of meat fibers.
- Leave the meat to marinate for 15 minutes.
2. Preparing the Sauce
- In a separate bowl, combine the following ingredients:
- 1 big clove garlic or 2 small cloves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp chili sauce
- Mix the ingredients well to create a flavorful sauce.
3. Cooking the Beef
- After the meat has marinated for 15 minutes, rinse it well with water and blot any excess moisture with a paper towel.
- Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a pan over high heat.
- Place the meat in the pan and fry it for 2 minutes on each side, allowing it to develop a nice sear.
4. Adding Vegetables
- Add 1 chopped onion to the pan and fry over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until it becomes translucent.
- Next, add 1/2 red bell pepper and 1/2 green bell pepper to the pan and fry for an additional 2-3 minutes.
5. Combining Everything
- Return the seared meat to the pan with the vegetables.
- Pour the prepared sauce over the meat and vegetables, ensuring everything is well coated.
- Mix everything well and let it cook over low heat for 8-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
By following these simple steps, you can enjoy tender, flavorful beef in just 5 minutes! The baking soda, along with the unique combination of spices and sauces, works wonders to soften and infuse your beef with delicious flavors.