Beef Stir Fry... with vegetables

Beef Stir Fry...Sometimes I crave a good beef stir-fry. Making it at home ensures that I can choose my own cut of meat and use any ingredient that I want. I have found that tri-tip works very well. It is tender and tasty. I like to freeze my cut of meat for a few minutes so that I can cut it thinly.

After watching many chefs prepare Chinese dishes , I realize that the trick to good Chinese food is cooking the ingredients in batches. The meat is cooked on it own and set aside. Then the vegetables are quickly stir fried on their own. Finally, the two( meat and vegetables) are combined in the last stage. This eliminates overcooking and making the dish mushy.

I made this recipe with ingredients I readily have on hand. I am sure you can substitute any vegetables you like and use your own sauce at the end. But, this is my version I came up with ...spur of the moment:). Hope you enjoy...

You will need:

1 lb. tri-tip, thinly sliced

2 tsps ginger, minced
2 tsps corn starch

1 TBS rice vinegar

2-3 garlic cloves, minced

salt /pepper to taste(you can use soy sauce if you prefer)

1/4 - 1/3 cup oil for stir frying

Directions:
1. Slice the beef thinly... mince garlic and then add the rest of the ingredients. Mix to combine.

2. Let marinate for 20 minutes or so.

Vegetables: * you can use any stir-fry sauce you like in the final stage as well

1 carrot, julienned

2 green onions, strips

1/4 bell pepper, julienned

1 cup mushrooms, sliced

3-4 garlic cloves, sliced

sesame seeds(optional)

1. Prep vegetables.

2. In a skillet stir fry the mushrooms in a tsp of oil... until most of the water is evaporated and the mushrooms are mostly dry. Season with salt. Remove and set aside.

3. Clean skillet, heat on med high and add oil. Add beef to hot oil in batches. You don't want to steam the meat but want to "fry" them until nicely golden brown... so don't overcrowd.

4. Stir often so as not to burn.

5. Take meat out and set aside on a plate.

6. Drain all oil except 1 tsp. Stir fry all the julienned vegetables in about 1 tsp oil for a minute or so. You don't want to overcook the vegetables. You still want them to have a "bite" to them.

7. Add sliced garlic and stir fry for a few seconds. Add the reserved meat and mushrooms.

8. Stir fry for an additional 30 seconds. It is at this point that you can taste for seasoning and add stir fry sauce if you like.

9. Serve over steamed rice. Sprinkle with sesame seeds or peanuts if you like.