Hunan Beef

Before we begin…

• If you want to know the differences between some of these traditional Chinese dishes, [popup url=”https://www.grandpacooks.com/recipes/mongolian-sichuan-kung-pao-mandarin-hunan/”]CLICK HERE.[/popup]
• Hunan Beef is very spicy, and is sometimes difficult to distinguish from a Sichuan meal.  There are minor differences in vegetables and seasonings.  Hunan uses hot Thai peppers.

Ingredients to feed 4 people

Step by Step

1. In a medium bowl combine beef, egg white and 1 TBL cornstarch.
2. Mix well and set aside.
3. In another bowl mix together soy sauce and chili paste.
4. Mix in 1½ tsp cornstarch, sugar, sesame oil, and garlic. Set aside.
5. Heat oil in a deep fryer to 375°F.
6. Deep fry strips of beef in batches for about 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Drain on paper towels.
8. Heat a wok or skillet over medium-high heat.
9. Add the sauce mixture to the wok and cook until it becomes thickened and bubbly.
10. Mix in cooked beef strips and cook for 1 minute.
11. Remove beef and sauce from the pan to a platter and set aside.
12. Wipe the fry pan clean.
13. Heat 1 T. of oil in the wok or skillet over medium high heat.
14. Add sherry and salt.
15. Add broccoli florets and stir fry for 1 minute.
16. Serve broccoli with the beef mixture and white rice.

Oh, one more thing…

• Hunan cuisine, a recognized Chinese cuisine, is also referred to as Xiang Cai and is characterized by its aromatic, spicy and delicious food. Hunan food is indeed a strong flavored spicy version of Szechuan food. A pungent flavor in all dishes makes food here unique and chili, shallot and pepper are used in almost all the food preparations of Hunan cuisine.
• Hunan, which is situated at South Eastern China, is also called as land of fish and rice because of the abundance of the two.
• Due to the humidity in the air and hot climate, peppers are excessively used in Hunan food in order to take out the body heat by sweating.

• Among all the Chinese cuisine, Hunan cuisine is considered best and spiciest.  Sweet and sour sauce has its origin in Hunan.