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Crispy Chilli Beef is a popular Chinese dish that features tender strips of beef coated in a crunchy exterior and tossed in a tangy, spicy sauce. It’s a flavorful dish with a perfect balance of heat and sweetness, making it a favorite at Chinese takeout restaurants. This homemade version doesn’t require deep frying, yet it achieves the desired crispy texture for the beef.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

360g (¾ lb) thin-cut sirloin steak (or other steaks like ribeye, flank, or skirt), cut into thin strips
1 small egg
4 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
⅛ tsp white pepper
4 ½ tbsp sunflower oil (divided)
1 medium onion, peeled and sliced into thin strips
1 red chili, finely sliced (seeds discarded if preferred less hot)
1 tsp minced ginger
3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced

For the Chinese Garlic Sauce:

2 tbsp rice vinegar
3 tbsp dark soy sauce
2 tbsp tomato puree (or paste)
6 tbsp caster sugar (superfine sugar)
2 tbsp tomato ketchup
2 tbsp sweet chili sauce

Directions

Prepare the Steak:
Place the steak strips in a bowl and add the egg. Coat the steak thoroughly with the egg. Then add the cornflour, salt, pepper, and white pepper, mixing everything to coat the beef.
Cook the Beef:
Heat 3 tbsp of oil in a large frying pan or wok over high heat. Once hot, fry the steak in batches, adding each strip individually to avoid overcrowding. Fry for about 5-6 minutes until dark brown and crispy. Once crispy, remove the beef and place it on a bowl lined with kitchen paper.
Sauté Aromatics and Sauce:
Add another 1 tbsp of oil to the pan. Add the sliced onion and cook for 2 minutes until softened. Add the sliced chili, minced ginger, and garlic, stirring for about 30 seconds. Then add rice vinegar, dark soy sauce, tomato puree, sugar, ketchup, and sweet chili sauce. Stir and let the sauce bubble for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
Combine and Serve:
Add the crispy beef back into the pan, tossing it with the sauce and cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until the beef is heated through and coated with the sauce. Serve with rice or noodles.

Nutritional Facts (per serving)

Calories: 472 kcal
Carbohydrates: 37g
Protein: 21g
Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 100mg
Sodium: 1141mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 26g

The Appeal of Crispy Chilli Beef

The allure of Crispy Chilli Beef lies in its balance of textures and flavors. The beef strips are crispy on the outside while remaining tender and juicy on the inside. This contrast creates a satisfying crunch that adds to the enjoyment of each bite. The crispy exterior is achieved by coating the beef in a simple mixture of egg and cornflour (cornstarch), which, when fried in hot oil, forms a light, golden crust around the beef. This cooking technique allows the beef to retain its moisture while developing a crunchy coating that holds up well to the sauce.

The sauce itself is what truly makes this dish stand out. The tanginess of rice vinegar, combined with the richness of dark soy sauce and the sweetness from ingredients like tomato ketchup and caster sugar, creates a complex and flavorful sauce. The sweet chili sauce adds a hint of sweetness and spice, while the garlic and ginger provide aromatic depth. Finally, fresh chili adds an extra kick, giving the dish the heat that many crave in Chinese cuisine.

Why Choose Sirloin Steak?

For Crispy Chilli Beef, sirloin steak is an excellent choice due to its tenderness and relatively lean profile. Sirloin is a flavorful cut that holds up well to the frying process without becoming tough or dry. When thinly sliced into strips, the steak cooks quickly and evenly, ensuring that each piece is perfectly tender on the inside.

While sirloin is commonly used for this dish, other cuts of beef, such as ribeye, flank, or skirt steak, can also be used depending on your preferences. Ribeye will offer more marbling and a richer flavor, while flank and skirt steak are both leaner and offer a slightly chewier texture. Regardless of the cut, the key is to slice the beef thinly against the grain, which allows it to cook quickly and maintain its tenderness.

The Art of Achieving Crispy Beef Without Deep Frying

One of the highlights of this Crispy Chilli Beef recipe is that it achieves the signature crispy texture without deep frying the beef. Instead of submerging the beef in hot oil, the beef strips are lightly coated with an egg mixture and cornflour, which allows them to crisp up in a pan with less oil. This method not only makes the dish a bit healthier but also ensures that the beef retains its crispiness without becoming greasy.

The beef is cooked in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can lead to steaming rather than frying. By frying the beef strips individually in hot oil, they develop a crispy, golden-brown exterior while the interior remains juicy and tender. The result is a deliciously crunchy coating that pairs perfectly with the sauce.

Building the Flavorful Sauce

The key to the rich, tangy, and spicy flavor of Crispy Chilli Beef lies in the sauce. The combination of ingredients such as rice vinegar, dark soy sauce, tomato puree, and sweet chili sauce creates a sauce that is both complex and balanced. The rice vinegar provides acidity and a touch of brightness, while the dark soy sauce adds a savory umami depth. The tomato puree contributes to the body of the sauce, giving it a smooth, rich texture that coats the beef perfectly.

The sweetness in the sauce comes from caster sugar and tomato ketchup, which help to balance out the heat from the fresh chili and sweet chili sauce. This balance of sweet and spicy is essential for the perfect Crispy Chilli Beef, as it ensures that the sauce complements the crispy beef without overpowering it. The garlic and ginger bring aromatic qualities that elevate the dish, adding a savory depth that enhances the overall flavor profile.

The Importance of Stir-Frying

Stir-frying is a cooking technique that is often associated with Chinese cuisine, and it plays a crucial role in this Crispy Chilli Beef recipe. By cooking the beef and aromatics quickly over high heat, the flavors develop rapidly without overcooking the ingredients. Stir-frying also ensures that the beef stays crispy by preventing it from soaking in too much sauce during cooking.

Once the beef has been fried to a crispy perfection, it is tossed in the aromatic sauce and briefly cooked to allow the flavors to meld. The stir-frying process helps to coat the beef with the sauce evenly, ensuring that each strip is well-seasoned without losing its crispy texture. This method allows the beef to retain its crispiness while being thoroughly coated in the flavorful sauce.

Aromatic Vegetables and Heat from Fresh Chilies

In addition to the crispy beef and savory sauce, Crispy Chilli Beef is complemented by the addition of sliced onions and fresh chilies. The onions add a touch of sweetness and crunch, balancing the rich, spicy sauce and the crispy beef. When cooked for just a few minutes, the onions soften slightly but retain their texture, offering a nice contrast to the beef.

Fresh chili, finely sliced, adds an extra layer of heat and color to the dish. The chili provides a fiery kick that can be adjusted depending on your personal spice tolerance. If you prefer a milder version, you can discard the seeds, which are the primary source of heat, or use a less spicy variety of chili.

Serving Suggestions

Crispy Chilli Beef is best served with a simple accompaniment that can soak up the flavorful sauce. Steamed jasmine rice is a classic choice, as it provides a light and fluffy base that pairs perfectly with the tangy and spicy beef. The rice helps balance the heat from the sauce and complements the richness of the dish.

Alternatively, you can serve Crispy Chilli Beef with stir-fried noodles or even crispy fried rice for a more substantial meal. The noodles can be tossed in a bit of soy sauce and sesame oil to add flavor, making them an excellent pairing with the crispy beef. A side of sautéed vegetables, such as bok choy or broccoli, can also provide some extra texture and nutrients, enhancing the overall meal.

Health Considerations

While Crispy Chilli Beef is undoubtedly a delicious treat, it is also a dish that can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. By using minimal oil for frying and adjusting the sweetness and spiciness to your taste, you can make this dish healthier without compromising on flavor. Additionally, serving the dish with a side of vegetables or rice ensures that you get a well-rounded meal that includes fiber and essential nutrients.

The use of lean beef, such as sirloin or flank steak, ensures that the dish is rich in protein, which is essential for muscle repair and overall health. The garlic and ginger in the sauce also provide health benefits, as both are known for their anti-inflammatory and digestive properties.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Crispy Chilli Beef is a delicious and satisfying dish that combines tender beef, crispy texture, and a flavorful sauce. Its balance of heat, sweetness, and savory depth makes it a favorite in Chinese cuisine, and this homemade version allows you to enjoy all the flavors without the need for deep frying. The simple yet effective cooking techniques, combined with the aromatic ingredients and spicy sauce, create a dish that is sure to impress. Whether served with rice or noodles, Crispy Chilli Beef is the perfect choice for a quick and flavorful meal that will transport your taste buds to a Chinese takeout favorite.

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