HUNAN BEEF WITH CUMIN

Hunan Beef With Cumin image

This fragrant beef stir-fry is an adaptation of one found in Fuchsia Dunlop's "Revolutionary Chinese Cookbook," whose subject is the food of Sichuan's less celebrated eastern neighbor, Hunan province. Cumin, a spice rarely used in Chinese cooking, chiles, chile flakes and garlic create a heated yet sophisticated flavor profile.

Provided by Anne Mendelson

Categories easy, quick, main course

Time 25m

Yield 2 to 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

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Ingredients

1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine or good medium-dry sherry
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon light soy sauce
1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
1 tablespoon potato starch or flour
12 ounces boneless short rib or other beef steak
1 3/4 cups peanut oil
2 teaspoons minced ginger
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
2 fresh red chilies (tien tsin or Thai red chiles), seeded and finely chopped
2 to 4 teaspoons dried chili flakes
2 teaspoons ground cumin
Salt
2 scallions, green parts only, finely sliced
1 teaspoon sesame oil

Steps:

In a bowl, mix the wine, salt, soy sauces, potato starch or flour and one tablespoon water. Cut the beef across the grain into thin slices and add to marinade.
In a wok, heat peanut oil to about 275 degrees. Add beef and stir gently for two to three minutes, then remove from oil with a slotted spoon and drain well.
Pour off all but 3 tablespoons of oil in wok. Over a high flame, add the ginger, garlic, fresh chilies, chili flakes and cumin and stir-fry briefly, until they are fragrant. Return beef to the wok and stir well, seasoning with salt to taste.
When beef is sizzling and fragrant,add scallion greens and toss briefly. Remove from heat and stir in sesame oil.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 1080, UnsaturatedFat 84 grams, Carbohydrate 5 grams, Fat 112 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 16 grams, SaturatedFat 23 grams, Sodium 476 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 1 gram