Stir-fried Asparagus with Beef

Ingredients

• 8 oz beef, thinly sliced against the grain ((flank steak is great for stir-frying))
• ¼ teaspoon salt ((plus more to adjust seasonings))
• black pepper
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1½ teaspoons cooking oil ((plus more for cooking))
• 4 teaspoons minced garlic, divided
• 2 oz peeled and thinly sliced carrots
• 10.5-12 oz trimmed asparagus, cut on a diagonal into 2-inch long pieces
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• ¼ teaspoon fish sauce

Steps

1. 1

   In a mixing bowl, combine sliced beef with ¼ teaspoon salt, pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic, 1 teaspoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon water. Mix well and then add 1½ teaspoons cooking oil and give it another toss. Set aside to marinate for about 10 minutes.

2. 2

   Place a pan over medium heat and add cooking oil to coat the bottom. Once the oil is hot, add the beef and let it sear undisturbed briefly. Then stir-fry quickly and remove from the pan when the beef is still slightly pink.

3. 3

   Add the remaining minced garlic to the same pan and stir-fry until fragrant. Add carrot and stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes.

4. 4

   Continue to add asparagus to the pan and stir-fry together with the carrot for about 4 minutes until crisp-tender. You can add a tablespoon of water to the pan to help soften the vegetables if needed.

5. 5

   Return the beef to the pan and add the oyster sauce. Mix well. Once everything has been cooked through, add the fish sauce and adjust seasonings with a little more salt if needed. Give everything a final toss.

6. 6

   Transfer to serving plates and sprinkle with black pepper.