I loved my my mother dearly, but let’s face it she was right up there when the world’s worst cook award was being passed out. I guess it simply was the fact that she did not have time, especially when she went back to work full time. My father was runner up for the award as he hardly cooked a day in his life, that was woman’s work you know. So I grew up with a bland palate consisting of meat (always overcooked), peas, corn and potatoes. Yep, that was about it.
During my career I too never had time to cook. Thank goodness my husband was adept in the kitchen. And boy did he have trouble moving me away from the staples I grew up with. And eating any type of ethnic food, well that was just not acceptable. So how did it all change.
Well, the Food Network for one – once I started watching it I was hooked. I learned so much watching those shows that no on ever taught me. Then once I retired, I finally had the time to explore cooking. I took cooking lessons, I experimented with various dishes, I started working at Crate and Barrel where a lot of their mainstay merchandising relates to dining and entertaining. And I became a student of the art.
Now I am not saying I am a master chef by any means, but I really enjoy the process. I enjoy learning about different foods, learning new techniques, experimenting with recipes. Who would ever believe that. It’s fun when you can accomplish something new and interesting in the kitchen. At least for me…
So, every once in a while in my blog I will be posting recipes. I hope that you try them and give me feedback about them. And if you have some you want to share, join the party – the more the merrier.
Today I posting my stir fry beef and pea pods recipe. It cooks up in 15 minutes or less and it is fabulous. Most of the work involved in the recipe is the chopping and dicing (which I like to do, I find it therapuetic). Enjoy, and please let me know what you think.
Stir Fry Beef and Pea Pods
INGREDIENTS:
- Flank steak or beef tenderloin
- Beef broth
- Soy Sauce
- Vermouth
- Baby Bella Mushrooms
- Pepper (red or green)
- Roma Tomatoes
- Pea Pods (fresh or frozen, I prefer fresh)
- Garlic (I-2 cloves)
- Cornstarch, 3 TBS total
- Olive Oil or Vegetable Oil
BEEF MARINADE:
Flank Steak or Beef Tenderloin (if beef tenderloin, marinate for only ½ hour, if flank steak the longer the better, I found 4 hrs. minimum to be the best)
- 1TB cornstarch
- 2 TB soy sauce
- 4TB vermouth
DIRECTIONS:
Chop vegetables and garlic– a bigger chop for vegetables stands up better to stir frying (this can be done well in advance)
Heat wok. Add enough oil to lightly coat the bottom. (I use an electric wok so it heats up very quickly)
Add beef and stir fry until almost at desired doneness. (We most often use beef tenderloin so I like to have a little pink in the meat – with flank steak I would cook longer)
Remove beef and set aside, cover with foil to keep warm
Mix together:
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2TB soy sauce
- 2TB cornstarch (make sure cornstarch is completely absorbed by the liquid)
Add mixture to wok and let simmer for a short time (1/2 minute to 1 minute)
Add peppers and mushrooms
Cook until almost crisp tender, 3-5 minutes
Add tomatoes and pea pods, cook for about 1 minute
Add garlic and cook until fragrant (30 seconds to minute)
Add beef back into the mixture and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
Serve over rice