Stir-Fried Zucchini with Tender Beef Flank Steak
Delicious Side Dish: Stir-Fried Zucchini and Beef Flank Steak
We’ve stir-fried tender beef flank steak with zucchini, a vegetable that’s easily available these days. This recipe offers a delightful combination of textures and flavors, perfect as a savory side dish for your rice.
Main Ingredients- Beef flank steak 150g
- Zucchini 1/2
- Onion 1/2
- Minced red chili pepper, a little (for garnish)
- Minced green chili pepper, a little (for garnish)
- Cooking oil 2 Tbsp
Seasoning & Marinade- Salt 1 tsp (for zucchini)
- Minced green onion 3 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 1 tsp
- Sugar 1 tsp
- Oyster sauce 1 tsp
- Black pepper, a pinch
- Minced garlic 2 tsp (total)
- Cooking wine 1 Tbsp
- Sesame oil 1 Tbsp
- Sesame seeds 1 Tbsp
- Salt 1 tsp (for zucchini)
- Minced green onion 3 Tbsp
- Soy sauce 1 tsp
- Sugar 1 tsp
- Oyster sauce 1 tsp
- Black pepper, a pinch
- Minced garlic 2 tsp (total)
- Cooking wine 1 Tbsp
- Sesame oil 1 Tbsp
- Sesame seeds 1 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Wash the zucchini thoroughly and slice it into attractive shapes, such as semi-circles or triangles, about 0.5 cm thick.
Step 2
Sprinkle the sliced zucchini with 1 tsp of salt and let it sit for about 10 minutes. This process draws out excess moisture, preventing the dish from becoming watery when cooked and improving the texture. After salting, gently pat the zucchini dry with paper towels.
Step 3
Lightly pat the beef flank steak dry to remove any excess blood. Cut it into bite-sized pieces, about 2-3 cm in size. Avoid cutting it too small, as it might shrink considerably during cooking.
Step 4
In a bowl, combine the cut beef flank steak with all the marinade ingredients except for the sesame oil and sesame seeds: 1 tsp of minced garlic (out of the total 2 tsp), 3 Tbsp of minced green onion, 1 tsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp oyster sauce, 1 Tbsp cooking wine, and a pinch of black pepper. Gently mix and coat the beef. Marinate for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat. The remaining 1 tsp of minced garlic will be used in step 5.
Step 5
Peel the onion and slice it into large square pieces, similar in thickness to the zucchini slices, about 1-1.5 cm.
Step 6
Heat 2 Tbsp of cooking oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 1 tsp of minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Then, add the sliced onion and the drained zucchini. Stir-fry until the onion is slightly translucent and the zucchini is tender-crisp. Be careful not to overcook, as the zucchini can become mushy.
Step 7
Once the zucchini and onion are partially cooked, push them to one side of the pan. Add the marinated beef flank steak to the empty space and sear it quickly until the exterior turns opaque. Cooking beef over high heat for a short period helps retain its juices and keeps it tender.
Step 8
After the beef has seared, mix it with the zucchini and onions on the pan. Continue to stir-fry everything together until well combined and fully cooked.
Step 9
Finally, add 1 Tbsp of sesame oil and 1 Tbsp of sesame seeds. Turn off the heat and toss gently. The residual heat will further enhance the nutty aroma of the sesame oil and seeds.
Step 10
Transfer the stir-fry to a serving dish. For a visually appealing garnish and an extra kick, sprinkle with the minced red and green chili peppers. Serve hot with rice and enjoy this delicious and satisfying meal!
