Stir-Fried Beef with Black Bean Sauce

Fermented black bean sauce (actually made from soybeans) is a staple in Chinese cuisine. It’s also used and produced in other Asian countries under different names. You can easily buy ready-made sauce at Asian grocery stores, or even make it yourself if you have fermented soybeans on hand.

Ingredients

For the beef:

• 400 g lean beef, sliced into thin strips

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp rice wine

• 2 tsp corn starch

• 2 tbsp peanut oil

• 1 green bell pepper, sliced into strips

• 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips

• 1 onion, sliced

• 1 tbsp grated ginger

• 2 garlic cloves, pressed

For the sauce:

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tsp sugar

• 125 ml chicken stock (or from a cube)

• 3 tbsp black bean sauce

• 1 tbsp corn starch

• 1 tsp sesame oil

Instructions

1. In a glass bowl, combine the beef with soy sauce, rice wine, and corn starch. Cover and refrigerate.

2. In a small bowl, mix together all the sauce ingredients and set aside.

3. Heat 1 tbsp peanut oil in a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Quickly sear the beef, leaving it slightly pink in the middle. Transfer to a bowl once done.

4. Wipe the pan clean with a paper towel and heat the remaining peanut oil. Stir-fry the bell peppers, onion, and ginger for 3–4 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté briefly.

5. Return the beef to the pan and mix. Pour in the sauce and stir-fry briefly until the sauce thickens.

Serve immediately with steamed rice..