Beef & Chinese Celery Stir-Fry

Ingredients

Estimated total cost: €8.98 · €2.99/serving

• Beef Stir-Fry Marinade"Est. price €0.10–€0.30
• "3/4 pound flank steak, sliced against the grain into strips approximately 3 inches in length, 3/4 inch in width, and just under 1/4 inch thick (marinate the beef for at least 30 minutes for optimal flavor)"Est. price €6.50–€10.50
• "1 pound (about 2 bunches) Chinese celery, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces (blanch the celery in boiling water for 1 minute before stir-frying to retain its vibrant color)"Est. price €2.00–€4.00
• "2 tablespoons canola or other neutral oil (heat the oil until shimmering before adding the ingredients for a perfect stir-fry)"Est. price €0.08–€0.15
• "1/2 small yellow onion, cut lengthwise into slices about 1/2 inch thick (caramelize the onions slowly over low heat for added sweetness)"Est. price €0.10–€0.25
• "3 cloves garlic, finely chopped (sauté the garlic briefly in the hot oil to release its aroma without burning)"Est. price €0.15–€0.30
• "Black pepper, to taste (add the black pepper towards the end of cooking to preserve its bold flavor)"Est. price €0.05–€0.12

Steps

1. 1

   Mix the marinade with the beef in a bowl, ensuring it is thoroughly combined using chopsticks or your hands. Allow the mixture to marinate while you prepare the remaining ingredients.

2. 2

   Begin by removing the celery roots and snapping off a portion of the top leaves, leaving about half of them intact. Proceed to cut the stems into 2-inch pieces. Rinse the pieces in a colander, ensuring to clean out any dirt that may be trapped in between. Allow the celery to drain thoroughly before use. There is no requirement to pre-boil the celery as it cooks quickly during stir-frying.

3. 3

   Begin by heating 1 tablespoon of oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat until it is hot but not smoking. Toss in the onion and stir-fry until it becomes fragrant, which should take around 30 seconds. Introduce the garlic next and cook for about 15 seconds until it releases its aroma. Push the onion and garlic to one side of the pan to avoid them sticking under the beef and burning. Turn up the heat to high before adding the beef to the pan, ensuring it spreads out evenly into one layer. Allow the beef to cook without disturbance for approximately 1 minute until it starts browning. Then, use a spatula to flip and stir-fry the beef along with the onion and garlic for an additional 1 to 2 minutes, or until the beef remains slightly rare. Once done, transfer everything onto a plate for further use.

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• Cultural note

  Stir-frying is a popular cooking technique in Chinese cuisine, known for its quick cooking process that retains the freshness and flavors of the ingredients. Chinese celery is commonly used in Asian dishes for its unique flavor and crisp texture, adding a fresh twist to traditional stir-fries.

• Seasonal note

  Chinese celery is typically in season during the late spring and summer months, making it a great dish to enjoy during those seasons. Flank steak is available year-round.

• Health note

  This Beef & Chinese Celery Stir-Fry is a good source of protein, vitamins A, C, and K, and zinc. It is relatively low in carbohydrates and sugar, making it a balanced meal. However, it is moderately high in fat and sodium, so it's best enjoyed in moderation.