I always come to my blog thinking I have already posted this recipe, only to find that I never have, and that surprises me. So, tonight’s the night. This recipe is one of my favorite dinners. It’s the first one that comes to mind when I have broccoli on hand, and my husband and I always surprise ourselves by how much broccoli we can eat when we make it! I also have tried cheaper cuts of beef, but getting the flank steak makes all the difference–it just works perfectly. This makes one of the most perfect weeknight dinners we know. The recipe comes from The Best International Recipe from America’s Test Kitchen.

Beef & Broccoli with Oyster Sauce

1 T. rice cooking wine or dry sherry
2 T. low-sodium chicken broth
5 T. oyster sauce
2 T. light brown sugar
1 t. toasted sesame oil
1 t. cornstarch

2 t. soy sauce
2 t. Chinese rice cooking wine or dry sherry
1 1/2 lbs. flank steak, cut into 2-inch-wide strips with the grain, then sliced across the grain into 1/8-inch-thick slices
6 medium cloves garlic, pressed through garlic press or minced (about 2 tablespoons)
1-inch piece fresh ginger, minced (about 1 T.)
1 t. peanut oil or vegetable oil, plus extra for cooking
1 1/4 lbs. broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and sliced into matchsticks
1/3 c. water
3 medium scallions, sliced 1/2-inch thick on diagonal, optional

In a liquid measure or small bowl, combine rice wine vinegar, chicken broth, oyster sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and cornstarch for the sauce. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine beef, soy sauce, and the 2 t. rice wine. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 10 minutes or up to 1 hour.

In another small bowl, combine garlic, ginger, and 1 teaspoon peanut oil. Set aside.

Heat 1-2 teaspoons peanut oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot and rippling. Add half of beef to skillet and break up clumps; cook, without stirring, for 1 minute, then stir and cook until beef is browned around edges and cooked through, about 1-2 minutes. Don’t overcook the meat – cook until just barely cooked through so the meat stays tender. Transfer beef to a medium bowl and cover with a lid and tin foil. Heat another 1-2 teaspoons peanut oil in the skillet and repeat with remaining beef.

Add 1 tablespoon peanut oil to now-empty skillet; heat until rippling and hot. Add broccoli and cook 30 seconds; add water, cover pan, and lower heat to medium. Steam broccoli until tender-crisp, about 2 minutes. Remove the lid, add the bell pepper and continue to cook until the vegetables are crisp-tender, about 2 minutes.

Push the broccoli to the sides of the skillet and add the garlic/ginger mixture. Cook, mashing the mixture with a spoon, until fragrant, about 15-30 seconds. Stir the mixture into the vegetables. Add the beef back to skillet and toss to combine. Whisk the sauce to recombine and add to the skillet. Cook, stirring constantly, until sauce is thickened and evenly distributed, about 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter, sprinkle with scallions, and serve.