Yang-Yang Crispy Beef
Ingredients
Steak:
Peanut oil, for frying
1 pound sirloin steak, pounded 1/4-inch thick and finely sliced into strips
3 tablespoons cornstarch
Sea salt
Sauce:
2 tablespoons light soy sauce
1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
1 large orange, zested and juiced
1 head romaine lettuce, shredded
1/2 cucumber, sliced in half, seeds scooped out and thinly sliced into half moons
1 large scallion, thinly sliced on the bias, for garnish
1 to 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
Directions
For the beef: Heat a wok over high heat and fill halfway up with peanut oil. Heat the oil to 350 degrees F, or until a cube of bread turns golden brown in 15 seconds and floats to the surface. Place the beef strips in a large bowl and add 2 tablespoons cornstarch. Toss until the beef has absorbed the cornstarch. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon cornstarch right before frying and toss to coat. Fry the beef in 2 to 3 batches until golden, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels and season with sea salt.
For the sauce: Set another wok or saute pan over high heat and add the soy sauce, chili sauce and orange juice. Bring to a simmer and cook until it becomes thickened and coats the back of a spoon, 1 to 2 minutes. Toss the beef in the sauce to coat thoroughly. Serve over a bed of the shredded lettuce and sliced cucumber that has been sprinkled with rice vinegar. Then garnish with the scallions and orange zest.
