Chinese Beef With Broccoli -- Bringing Home the Takeout

Join Meal Wars for the ongoing Battle of Bringing In The Takeout, as we explore Chinese Beef with Broccoli. Seriously. Make this recipe. It's worth it!

--MARINADE--
1 1/2 pounds flank steak (sliced on a bias across the grain)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon neutral oil (we use avocado)
1 tablespoon oyster sauce

--SAUCE--
3/4 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce (use Tamari for gluten free)
1 teaspoon dark soy sauce (see recipe below)
3 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil

--EVERYTHING ELSE--
4 cups broccoli florets
3 tablespoons neutral oil
2 cloves garlic (Chopped)
1 teaspoon ginger (Chopped or Grated)
1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine

2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch (mixed with 3 tablespoons/45ml water)

Dark Soy Sauce
1/2 cup tamari soy sauce
1 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp molases
1/4 cup water

In a bowl, add the sliced beef, baking soda, oil, and water. Toss to combine. Add 1 TBSP corn starch and thge oyster sauce. Ideally, you want this to marinate for at least a half hour. I actually do this in the morning before I go to work or sometimes even the night before.

Combine chicken broth, sugar, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil to make sauce. (I do this in the morning before work as well, just to lighten the load when I get home)

Bring enough water to cover the broccoli to a boil in your wok. You can add a small amount of salt to it if you like, but it really isn't necessary, as everything else is pretty well seasoned. Cook for 90 seconds and remove to an ice bath. Drain and set aside. This can be done earlier as well to save precious evening time.

Heat your wok until smoking on high heat. Add 2 tablespoons neutral oil and your beef. Stir fry until about 50-75% cooked before removing. (Not advisable do this early)

Lower the wok heat to around medium and add 1 TBSP oil, garlic, and ginger. Cook for 30 seconds or so and then add your Shaoxing wine to the wok. Try and pour it around the top of the wok in a circular motion (it's ok if you don't)

Add your sauce.

Add your corn starch/water mixture to the sauce. This will thicken the sauce. Apparently, this footage got lost in the camera overheating incident that nearly cost many inanimate objects their lives during the filming of this episode! Mea culpa!

Add back beef, Add broccoli. Cook for a minute or two until done.

Serve over rice. Should I make a video on making rice properly without a stupid $300 rice cooker? It seems so simple, but it's the #1 searched cooking question on YouTube!

---- LINKS TO INGREDIENTS ----

Tamari Soy Sauce large: https://amzn.to/3SobbRS
Tamari Soy Sauce Small: https://amzn.to/3qWqghC

Dark Soy Sauce (Not Gluten Free): https://amzn.to/3dy2fKS

Gluten Free Oyster Sauce: https://amzn.to/3SnUztc

Oyster Sauce (With Gluten): https://amzn.to/3dA8gqn

Sesame Oil: https://amzn.to/3LwmLrD (Keep this in the fridge otherwise it will go rancid quickly. In the fridge, I've never had that happen)

---- EQUIPMENT ----

DO NOT EVER BUY A NON-STICK WOK FOR THIS KIND OF COOKING. It just can't get hot enough.

This wok is badass: https://amzn.to/3SliJEJ -- I may just replace mine with this one. I personally think the one with the wood handle is a better choice for the home cook. Mine has dual metal handles and it's harder to work with.

This is a more affordable wok: https://amzn.to/3ByZJvJ

15000 BTU Butane Burner: https://amzn.to/3BZJZDF -- This thing is incredibly useful for anyone who has an electric stove, but wants the extra ooomph of a good gas burner. It's fairly cheap, easy to use, and works a ton. Highly recommended.

---- OTHER EQUIPMENT I USE ON THE SHOW ----

Victorinox Slicing Knife: https://amzn.to/3UrD8d4 -- I love this knife for jobs like slicing the beef for this. Very sharp, very big. Does a great job every time. I highly recommend Victorinox knives in general (not a sponsor...I've used these for years and purchased with my own money)

---- GEAR I USE TO MAKE THE SHOW ----

Main Camera: Sony Alpha 1: https://amzn.to/3BUTW5B
Stunt Camera: Insta360 GO 2: https://amzn.to/3QiQdTA
Action Camera: DJI Action 2: https://amzn.to/3Pl77j3

Main Lens: Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN Art for Sony E: https://amzn.to/3JT4nIU
Secondary Lens: Tamron 70-300mm F/4.5-6.3: https://amzn.to/3zPFl8G
Shotgun Mic: Sennheiser Professional MKH 416 https://amzn.to/3AcFPqN
Field Recorder: Zoom F6 6-Input / 14 Track Multi-Track Ultra-Compact Field Recorder: https://amzn.to/3JIGUtP
Video Monitor/Recorder: Atomos Ninja V: https://amzn.to/3pRTVIj
MOZA Slypod Pro: https://amzn.to/3JJFMpL --- A big money saver compared to some of the more expensive sliders and very versatile. I LOVE this thing.
I still sometimes find myself wanting a regular slider though and I'm eyeing this one: GVM Motorized Camera Slider https://amzn.to/3AVvdNp
Vidpro SK-22 Professional Skater Dolly: https://amzn.to/3PaoK5n --- I use this WAY more than I thought I would.