Ingredients
beef sirloin or flank steak
300g, sliced thin against the grain
green bell pepper
1 medium, cut into strips
fermented black beans
2 tablespoons, rinsed and roughly chopped
garlic cloves
3, finely chopped
fresh ginger
1-inch piece, minced
scallions
3, whites and greens separated, sliced
light soy sauce
2 tablespoons
oyster sauce
1 tablespoon
cornstarch
1 tablespoon plus 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
vegetable oil
2 tablespoons
Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
1 tablespoon
Instructions
1
Velvet the beef
Toss the beef strips with 1 teaspoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and the Shaoxing wine. Let it sit at room temperature while you prep the remaining ingredients—about 10 minutes.
2
Whisk the sauce
Stir together the remaining soy sauce, oyster sauce, and the cornstarch slurry in a small bowl until smooth.
3
Sear the meat
Heat half the oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until smoking. Lay the beef in a single layer and sear undisturbed for 1 minute, then toss until browned but still slightly pink—about 1 minute more. Transfer to a plate.
4
Char the peppers
Add the remaining oil to the wok. Throw in the pepper strips and a pinch of salt. Stir-fry for 2 minutes until the edges begin to blister but the peppers still have crunch.
5
Bloom the aromatics
Push the peppers to the side. Add the black beans, garlic, ginger, and scallion whites to the center. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant, then mix everything together.
6
Finish and glaze
Return the beef to the wok, pour in the sauce, and toss constantly for 1–2 minutes until the liquid thickens into a glossy glaze that clings to the meat. Scatter the scallion greens over the top and serve immediately with steamed rice.