Garlic produces magic in many cuisines. With thoughts of the start of the Chinese New Year, I mixed it with soy sauce, brown sugar and peanuts for this quick Chinese Garlic Steak.
Shortcut tip: To make the meal even faster, buy beef cut for stir-frying at the market.
For the Asian Noodles, look for fresh or steamed Chinese noodles in the produce section. Sesame oil gives it a nutty flavor.
Helpful Hints:
— Dried Chinese noodles or angel hair pasta can be substituted for the fresh noodles.
— Minced garlic can be found in jars in the produce section of the market or use 6 crushed garlic cloves.
Countdown:
— Marinate steak.
— Prepare noodles.
— Make steak.
Shopping List:
To buy: 1/2-pound quick cooking steak (skirt, strip), 1 bottle low-sodium soy sauce, 1/4 pound fresh snow peas, 1 small jar minced garlic, 1/4 pound fresh or steamed Chinese noodles, 1 small jar unsalted peanuts and 1 bottle sesame oil.
Staples: vegetable oil spray, brown sugar, salt and black peppercorns.
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CHINESE GARLIC STEAK
Recipe by Linda Gassenheimer
1/2 pound quick cooking steak (skirt or strip steak)
3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
3 teaspoons minced garlic
Vegetable oil spray
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped peanuts
Remove visible fat from steak and cut into 1/2- to 1-inch strips. Mix soy sauce, brown sugar and garlic together in a self-seal plastic bag. Add steak and set aside while making the noodles. Turn bag over once or twice during that time.
Heat a wok or skillet over high heat. Spray with vegetable oil spray. Remove steak from marinade, reserving marinade. Stir-fry steak 1 to 2 minutes. Remove to a plate. Add reserved marinade to the wok. Boil 1 minute. Spoon over steak. Sprinkle peanuts over steak.
Yield 2 servings.
Per serving: 288 calories (53 percent from fat), 16.8 g fat (4.5 g saturated, 8.2 g monounsaturated), 72 mg cholesterol, 28.7 g protein, 8.9 g carbohydrates, 1.2 g fiber, 847 mg sodium.
ASIAN NOODLES
Recipe by Linda Gassenheimer
1/4 pound fresh or steamed Chinese noodles (about 2 1/4 cups)
1/4 pound fresh snow peas, trimmed (about 2 cups)
1 tablespoon sesame oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Bring a large saucepan filled with water to a boil. Add the noodles and snow peas. Bring back to a boil and cook 1 minute. Drain. Place in a bowl and add the sesame oil and salt and pepper to taste. Toss well. Serve with the steak.
Yield 2 servings.
Per serving: 293 calories (29 percent from fat), 9.4 g fat (1.6 g saturated, 3.4 g monounsaturated), 48 mg cholesterol, 9.1 g protein, 43.3 g carbohydrates, 2.8 g fiber, 14 mg sodium.
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