Elegant Cube Steak Rice Bowl: Perfect for Special Occasions
Mastering the Cube Steak Rice Bowl at Home: A Restaurant-Quality Recipe
In today’s fast-paced world, one-bowl meals are a true blessing, saving you the effort of preparing multiple side dishes. I’ve recreated my favorite restaurant dish, the Cube Steak Rice Bowl, at home! This recipe is surprisingly simple and will add a touch of gourmet flair to any day.
Main Ingredients- Beef (such as chuck eye, sirloin, or other steak cuts), cut into cubes 360g
- Fresh bean sprouts 160g
- Crispy and tangy pickled radish cubes 60g
- Onion, 1/2
- Fresh baby greens 15g
- Scallions, 3 stalks
- Whole garlic cloves 5
- Wasabi paste 1 Tbsp
- Steamed rice, for 3 servings
Special Cube Steak Sauce- Steak sauce 1 Tbsp
- Red wine 1 Tbsp
- Butter 10g
- Ground black pepper, a pinch (to taste)
Savory Rice Bowl Sauce- Soy sauce 2 Tbsp
- Mirin (sweet cooking wine) 1 Tbsp
- Water or broth 5 Tbsp
- Sugar 1 Tbsp
- Black pepper, a pinch (to taste)
- Dried kelp (dashima) 1 small piece
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Ground ginger, a pinch
- Steak sauce 1 Tbsp
- Red wine 1 Tbsp
- Butter 10g
- Ground black pepper, a pinch (to taste)
Savory Rice Bowl Sauce- Soy sauce 2 Tbsp
- Mirin (sweet cooking wine) 1 Tbsp
- Water or broth 5 Tbsp
- Sugar 1 Tbsp
- Black pepper, a pinch (to taste)
- Dried kelp (dashima) 1 small piece
- Minced garlic 1 Tbsp
- Ground ginger, a pinch
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, gently pat the beef dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. Then, using kitchen scissors, cut the beef into bite-sized cubes. Before searing, lightly season the beef with herb salt. To ensure the juices stay locked inside, coat the surface by searing it in olive oil. Since we’ll be adding a separate sauce later, season the meat lightly.
Step 2
While the beef is marinating, let’s prepare the rice bowl sauce. In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and black pepper. Add the piece of dried kelp and 5 tablespoons of water or broth. For an extra layer of umami, add a pinch of ground ginger. Heat the mixture in a saucepan over medium heat. Once it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, allowing the flavors to meld.
Step 3
Blanch the fresh bean sprouts in boiling water for just 2 minutes until they are slightly tender but still crisp. Immediately refresh them in cold water to stop the cooking process and drain them thoroughly. In a separate bowl, season the sprouts with a pinch of salt and a drizzle of sesame oil, tossing gently to combine. These sprouts will add a wonderful crunch to the dish.
Step 4
Thinly slice the onion using a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife. Heat a skillet with a little oil and sauté the thinly sliced onion and whole garlic cloves until they are softened and fragrant. Set aside the sautéed onions and garlic.
Step 5
Now, it’s time to cook the cube steak. Place the seasoned beef cubes in the same skillet used for the onions and garlic, and sear them over high heat until browned on all sides. When the beef is about halfway cooked, add 1 tablespoon of steak sauce, 1 tablespoon of red wine, 10g of butter, and a pinch of black pepper. Continue to stir-fry until the sauce coats the beef and it’s cooked to your liking. The butter will add richness and a glossy finish.
Step 6
Once the cube steak is cooked to your desired doneness, turn off the heat. For an extra touch of smoky flavor, lightly torch the surface of the steak with a kitchen torch. This step enhances the aroma and provides a delicious grilled note, similar to what you’d find in a restaurant.
Step 7
Assemble the rice bowl by placing a generous portion of warm steamed rice in a bowl. Drizzle 1-2 tablespoons of the prepared rice bowl sauce evenly over the rice. Adjust the amount of sauce according to your preference and the amount of rice.
Step 8
Arrange the blanched bean sprouts and sautéed onions attractively on top of the rice. Add the crispy pickled radish cubes for a pop of color and a contrasting texture.
Step 9
Finally, top the bowl with the flame-kissed cube steak and the sautéed garlic. Garnish with fresh baby greens and chopped scallions. For an extra kick, add a small dollop of wasabi. The combination of the smoky steak, the refreshing crunch of the sprouts, the sweetness of the onions, and the gentle heat of the wasabi, all brought together by the savory sauce, creates a harmonious and incredibly delicious experience. Enjoy your homemade restaurant-quality Cube Steak Rice Bowl!
