Stir-fried Chinese broccoli with beef

Serves 4 with 3 other dishes

For the marinade

• 0g beef
• 0g Chinese broccoli
• 4-4½tbsp corn oil
• 4 thin slices fresh ginger root
• ¼-⅓tsp salt
• ¼-⅓tsp sugar
• 0 cloves garlic
• 2 spring onions
• ½tbsp Shaohsing wine

For the sauce

• ¼-⅓tsp salt
• ¼-⅓tsp sugar
• 1 tsp thick soy sauce
• 0 turns black pepper mill
• 1 tsp Shaohsing wine
• ½tsp potato flour
• 1 tbsp water
• 1 tsp corn oil

• ½-¾tsp potato flour
• 0 tbsp water
• 1-1½tbsp oyster sauce
• ½tbsp thick soy sauce
• 199 p&p

Step 1
Cut the beef across the grain into slices, about 2.5 x 4cm (1 x 1½ inches) and 5mm (⅕ inch) thick.

Step 2
Put into a bowl.

Step 3
Prepare the marinade: add the salt, sugar, soy sauce, pepper, wine or sherry, potato flour and water to the beef.

Step 4
Stir in the same direction until well coated.

Step 5
Leave to marinate for 15-30 minutes.

Step 6
Blend in the oil.

Step 7
Cut the Chinese broccoli into pieces, about 7.5-10cm (3-4 inches) long.

Step 8
Prepare the sauce: mix together the potato flour, water, oyster sauce and soy sauce.

Step 9
Heat a wok until hot.

Step 10
Add 1½-2 tbsp of the oil and swirl it around.

Step 11
Add the ginger, stir and add the Chinese broccoli.

Step 12
Sliding the wok scoop or metal spatula to the bottom of the wok, turn and toss in rapid succession for about 1 minute, adjusting the heat if the broccoli begins to burn.

Step 13
Add the salt and sugar.

Step 14
Now add about 4-5 tbsp of water, bring to the boil, then continue to cook, covered, over a moderate heat for about 4-5 minutes.

Step 15
Remove with a perforated disc to a warm serving plate and keep warm nearby.

Step 16
Wash and dry the wok.

Step 17
Reheat over a high heat until smoke rises.

Step 18
Add the remaining oil and swirl it around.

Step 19
Add the garlic, then stir in the white spring onion.

Step 20
Add the beef and turn and toss for about 30 seconds to brown.

Step 21
Splash in the wine or sherry around the side of the wok, continuing to stir as it sizzles.

Step 22
Add the well-stirred sauce to the wok.

Step 23
Toss and stir as the sauce thickens.

Step 24
Add the green spring onion and remove from the heat.

Step 25
Scoop the beef mixture over the Chinese broccoli.

Step 26
Serve immediately.

Step 27
To order a copy for £14.44, go to bookshop.