Main Meals Recipes - Stir-Fried Beef and Mushrooms with Garlic and Black Beans Recipe

Ingredients

Serve 4

• 30ml/2 tbsp dark soy sauce

• 30ml/2 tbsp Chinese rice wine

• 10ml/2 tsp corn flour (cornstarch)

• 10ml/2 tsp sesame oil

• 450g/1lb fillet (beef tenderloin) or rump (round) steak, trimmed of fat

• 12 dried shiitake mushrooms

• 25ml/1 1/2 tbsp salted black beans

• 5ml/1 tsp caster (superfine) sugar

• 60ml/4 tbsp groundnut (peanut) oil

• 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

• 2.5cm/1 in piece fresh root ginger, cut into fine strips

• 200g/7oz open cap mushrooms, sliced

• 1 bunch spring onions (scallions), sliced diagonally

• 1 fresh red chili, seeded and shredded

• salt and ground black pepper

---

Method:

1. In a large bowl, mix together half the dark soy sauce, half the rice wine, half the corn flour and all the sesame oil with 15ml/1 tbsp cold water until smooth and thoroughly combined. Add a generous pinch of salt and pepper.

2. Cut the beef into very thin slices, no more than 5mm/1/4in thick. Add the slices to the corn flour mixture and rub the mixture into the beef with your fingers. Set aside for 30 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, pour boiling water over the dried mushrooms and leave to soak for 25 minutes. Drain, reserving 45ml/3 tbsp of the soaking water. Remove and discard the stalks and cut the caps in half.

4. Mash the beans with the sugar. In another bowl, combine the remaining corn flour, soy sauce and rice wine.

5. Heat the oil in a wok, then stir-fry the beef for 30-45 seconds, until just brown. Transfer it to a plate. Pour off some oil to leave about 45ml/3 tbsp in the wok.

6. Add the garlic and ginger to the wok, stir-try for 1 minute, then add all the mushrooms and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Set aside a few tablespoons of the green part of the spring onions, then add the rest to the wok Add the black beans and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes.

7. Stir in the beef, then add the shiitake soaking water. Stir in the corn flour mixture and simmer until the sauce thickens Sprinkle the chili and reserved spring onions over the beef and serve.