Detective Pux here, ready to solve the mystery of the perfect Chinese-American dish: Mongolian Beef with rice.
First things first, let's gather our ingredients:
- 1 lb flank steak, sliced against the grain into thin strips
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
- Cooked white rice, for serving
Now, let's get to work.
Step 1: Take your slices of flank steak and toss them in the cornstarch until they're evenly coated. This will help thicken the sauce and give the beef a crispy texture.
Step 2: Heat up a large skillet or wok over high heat and add the vegetable oil. Once the oil is hot, add the beef and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until browned on all sides. Remove the beef from the skillet and set it aside.
Step 3: In the same skillet, add the onion and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until softened. Then, add the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and white pepper. Stir everything together and bring the sauce to a simmer.
Step 4: Add the beef back into the skillet and toss it in the sauce until it's fully coated. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
Step 5: Take the skillet off the heat and add the green onions. Stir everything together one more time.
Step 6: Serve the Mongolian beef over a bed of cooked white rice and enjoy!
Now, I know what you're thinking, "Detective Pux, that all sounds great, but what's the secret to truly making this dish perfect?" And to that, I say: practice, practice, practice. The more you make this dish, the more you'll learn about your personal tastes and preferences. Maybe you like your sauce a little sweeter, or a little saltier. Or maybe you prefer a little more garlic or a little more onion. The key is to experiment and have fun with it.
And there you have it folks, the mystery of the perfect Chinese-American dish, solved by none other than yours truly, Detective Pux. Now go forth and cook up a storm, and remember, if you're ever in a bind and need help solving a culinary mystery, you know who to call.