Lighter Mongolian Beef Food

MONGOLIAN BEEF

Steps:

• Combine the sliced beef with 1 teaspoon oil, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Marinate for 1 hour. The beef should still be quite moist after it has marinated. If it looks too dry, add a tablespoon of water to it.
• Next, dredge the marinated beef slices in the remaining 1/4 cup of cornstarch until lightly coated.
• In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and hot water (or low sodium chicken or beef stock) until the sugar is dissolved. Mix in 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce. If you don't have low sodium soy sauce, substitute 2 1/2 tablespoons regular soy sauce and 1 1/2 tablespoons water. The saltiness of various soy sauce brands varies, so give the sauce a taste, and adjust the amounts of sugar/soy sauce/water/stock to your own taste.
• Heat 1/3 cup vegetable oil in the wok over high heat. Just before the oil starts to smoke, spread the flank steak pieces evenly in the wok, and sear for 1 minute (depending upon the heat of your wok). Turn over and let the other side sear for another 30 seconds. Remove to a sheet pan. Tilt it slightly to let the oil drain to one side (lean it on a cookbook or cutting board). The beef should be seared with a crusty coating.
• Drain the oil from the wok, leaving 1 tablespoon behind, and turn the heat to medium-high. Add the ginger and dried chili peppers, if using. After about 15 seconds, add the garlic. Stir for another 10 seconds and add the premixed sauce.
• Let the sauce simmer for about 2 minutes and slowly stir in the cornstarch slurry mixture. Cook until the sauce has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.
• Add the beef and scallions and toss everything together for another 30 seconds. There should be almost no liquid, as the sauce should be clinging to the beef. If you still have sauce, increase the heat slightly and stir until thickened. Plate and serve with steamed rice!

LIGHTER MONGOLIAN BEEF

Steps:

• In a small heat proof bowl combine water, soy sauce, brown sugar and red pepper flakes. In another bowl toss cornstarch with steak and let it sit for 10 minutes or so.
• Heat half of canola oil in a wok over medium heat. (I just used a big frying pan and real olive oil cooking spray.) Add ginger and garlic and saute for about 30 seconds and then pour in soy mixture. Bring to a boil and allow to cook 2-3 minutes. Pour back into bowl.
• Add the rest of the oil to the empty wok/skillet or spray with cooking more spray and brown the beef over medium-high heat. Once the meat is browned pour the sauce back into the wok/skillet with the beef. Continue to cook until the sauce is thickened to your liking. If it gets too thick, add more water. Add green onions and broccoli right before serving.