Don’t you just love the idea of a stir-fry?  Just spend about 10 minutes chopping, 2 minutes stirring together a sauce, 5 minutes stir-frying and yummmmy!

This meal is so divine.  I made it last week to join in the Chinese New Year festivities, stateside.  It is simple, a one pan dish, packed with flavor and…

best of all, it takes no time to make.

Let the savory adventure begin!

FOR THE VEGGIES:

I use 3 russet potatoes,

peel and french-fry cut them.

Then I submerge them in a bowl of cold water, till I need them, to reduce the amount of starch in the potatoes so that your fries will be crispier and so that your potatoes do not turn brown before you cook them!

Peel and mince 2 cloves of garlic,

cut a medium onion and 2 medium tomatoes into thin wedges, and cut one medium green pepper into 1-inch slices.

And then get your hands on about 6 ounces of snow peas!

Have all of your veggies ready to go and set aside.

 

THE BEEF:

Partially freeze about 12 ounces of top-round beef.  Slice thinly across the grain into bite-size pieces.

Set aside.

 

THE SAUCE:

In a small bowl, add 1/2 cup of water,

1 tablespoon cornstarch,

3 tablespoons fish sauce, (Even if you find the flavor or taste of fish sauce off-putting, stay with me and add it to the sauce.  It does have a strong odor, but you will not taste it and it adds a depth to the sauce that wouldn’t happen without it!)

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper,

1 teaspoon sesame oil and stir to combine.  Set aside.

THE STIR-FRY:

Drain the potato strips and pat dry on a paper towel.

Stir-fry garlic and potatoes in 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, over medium-high heat, for about 6 minutes or until tender.

Remove potatoes from pan.

Add the onion and stir-fry for 1 minute.

Add the green pepper strips and snow pea pods.  Stir-fry for about 2 more minutes; you still want them to be crisp.

Remove the vegetables from the pan.

Add the beef to the hot pan and cook for 2-3 minutes.  Push beef to sides of pan.

Stir the sauce and add to the center of the pan.  Cook and stir till bubbly and thickens up.

Return the cooked vegetables to the pan and stir till everything is coated by that amazing sauce and is shiny and irresistible.  Go ahead and reward yourself for all of your hard work in the kitchen and try one of the delicious veggies…mmmmmmmm

Gently stir in tomato wedges.  Heat through.

Add a generous pinch of salt, at least 1/2 teaspoon.

Add a pinch of pepper, at least 1/4 teaspoon.

Add some fresh chopped cilantro for a note of brightness on each serving.

Absolutely wonderful!

Serves 4.

Bon Appétit, Ma Chérie!