Spicy Beef with Shrimp & Bok Choy by Rev. Carol A. Ingle (Raven)

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Spicy Beef with Shrimp & Bok Choy

Oyster sauce and rice wine give this speedy stir-fry a rich flavor that balances the clean, sweet crunch of bok choy. Serve with rice noodles or brown basmati rice and a Tsing Tao beer to feel like you're eating in your favorite Chinese restaurant.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup Shao Hsing rice wine, (see Ingredient note)
1-1/2 tablespoons oyster-flavored sauce
2 teaspoons cornstarch
4 teaspoons canola oil, divided
3/4 pound sirloin steak, trimmed of fat, cut in half lengthwise and thinly sliced
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
10 raw shrimp, (21-25 per pound), peeled, deveined and chopped
1 pound bok choy, preferably baby bok choy, trimmed and sliced into 1-inch pieces

Preparation:

Whisk rice wine, oyster sauce and cornstarch in a small bowl until the cornstarch is dissolved.

Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add beef and crushed red pepper to taste; cook, stirring, until the beef begins to brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Add shrimp and continue to cook, stirring, until the shrimp is opaque and pink, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the beef, shrimp and any juices to a plate.

Heat the remaining 2 teaspoons oil over medium-high heat in the same pan. Add bok choy and cook, stirring, until it begins to wilt, 2 to 4 minutes. Stir in the cornstarch mixture. Return the beef-shrimp mixture to the pan and cook, stirring, until heated through and the sauce has thickened slightly, about 1 minute.

Tip:

Ingredient Note: Shao Hsing (or Shaoxing) is a seasoned rice wine. It is available in most Asian specialty markets and some larger supermarkets in the Asian section. If unavailable, dry sherry is an acceptable substitute.