The Dish | Quick Beef and Snap Peas

I’m always looking for a simple dinner dish that comes together in 30 minutes, and this one fits the bill. It’s better than takeout, and chicken can be substituted for the beef.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 pound lean beef, cut into ¼-inch strips
  • 3 tablespoons tamari or dark soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil, more for drizzling
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 pound sugar snap peas, trimmed
  • 3 fat scallions
  • ⅔ cup chicken broth
  • 2½ tablespoons Madeira or sweet sherry
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons peanut or olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • Rice, for serving
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds (optional)
  • Sriracha or other hot sauce, or rice wine vinegar for garnish
  • Chili oil, for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

  • In a medium bowl, mix beef, 2 tablespoons tamari, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
  • Thinly slice sugar snap peas crosswise into disks. Thinly slice scallions, reserving dark green parts for garnish.
  • In a small bowl, mix chicken broth, Madeira, 2 tablespoons water, remaining 1 tablespoon tamari, and cornstarch.
  • Heat a large skillet over high heat. Add 2 tablespoons oil. When pan is hot, stir-fry beef until browned, about 2 minutes. Transfer beef and any liquid to a plate.
  • Add remaining tablespoon oil to skillet and when hot, add garlic and white and light green scallion parts until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Add sugar snap peas and chicken broth mixture, lower heat to medium and cover. Let cook for 2 minutes. Transfer beef and juices to skillet and stir-fry 2 minutes. Serve over rice, garnished with more sesame oil, sesame seeds, dark parts of scallions, and hot sauce or vinegar and chili oil.

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