I first tried this recipe years ago, back when I got myself on the test recipe list from Cook’s Illustrated. If you’re not aware of the program, visit this site for more information. Basically, once every month or so you get a recipe to try out – then you take a survey, and leave your comments about it. I think it’s so cool to play a small part in the publication that I hold so close to my heart! Definitely check it out.
Of course, as a recipe tester, you can’t share the recipes before their published. But, luckily – this one made it to press several years ago now, so I can share it with you today! The tangerine is such a fun, refreshing twist. We all really enjoy this one! I was a little short on snow peas, but had a few extra mushrooms in the fridge, so I threw them in, and they fit well. That’s the great thing about stir-frys, there’s not many veggies that don’t work in one!
Tangerine-Beef Stir Fry
Two to 3 oranges can be substituted for the tangerines. If available, substitute 1 teaspoon toasted and ground Sichuan peppercorns for the red pepper flakes.
4 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon light brown sugar plus 1 additional teaspoon
12 ounces flank steak , cut into 2-inch wide strips with grain, then sliced across grain into 1/8-inch-thick slices
3/4 cup tangerine juice plus 1 teaspoon grated zest from 3 to 4 tangerines
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
2 teaspoons cornstarch
3 medium garlic cloves , minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1 tablespoon black bean sauce
1/4-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (see note above)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large onion , halved and cut into 1/2-inch wedges
8 ounces snow peas , ends trimmed and strings removed (about 3 cups)
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
2 tablespoons water
Combine 2 tablespoons soy sauce and 1 teaspoon sugar in medium bowl. Add beef, toss well, and marinate for at least 10 minutes or up to 1 hour, stirring once. Meanwhile, whisk remaining 2 tablespoons soy sauce, remaining tablespoon sugar, tangerine juice, sesame oil, and cornstarch in medium bowl. Combine tangerine zest, garlic, ginger, black bean sauce, pepper flakes, and 1 teaspoon vegetable oil in small bowl.
Drain beef and discard liquid. Heat 1 teaspoon vegetable oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over high heat until just smoking. Add half of beef in single layer, breaking up clumps. Cook, without stirring, for 1 minute, then stir and cook until browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer beef to clean bowl. Heat 1 teaspoon vegetable oil in skillet and repeat with remaining beef. Rinse skillet and dry with paper towels.
Add remaining tablespoon vegetable oil to now-empty skillet and heat until just smoking. Add onion and mushrooms, and cook, stirring frequently, until beginning to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Add snow peas and continue to cook until spotty brown, about 2 minutes longer. Add water and cook until vegetables are crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Push vegetables to sides of skillet; add zest-garlic mixture to clearing and cook, mashing with spatula, until fragrant, 15 to 20 seconds. Combine zest-garlic mixture with vegetables. Return beef and any juices to skillet and stir to combine. Whisk sauce to recombine, then add to skillet; cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 30 seconds. Serve over rice.
Source: Cook’s Illustrated, November 2007
