Meat Recipes - Sichuan Beef with Tofu Recipe

Ingredients

• 200g/7oz/1 cup fragrant jasmine or basmati rice

• 30ml/2 tbsp groundnut (peanut) or soy oil

• 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

• 600g/1lb/6oz beef rump (round) steak or fillet (tenderloin), cut into thin strips

• 500g/1 1/4lb firm tofu, drained and diced

• 1 head broccoli, coarsely chopped

• 90ml/6 tbsp soy sauce

• pinch of sugar

• juice of 1 lime

• ground Sichuan peppercorns

• sweet chili sauce or another dipping sauce, to serve

Serves 4

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Method:

1. Cook the rice in a large pan of salted boiling water until tender, following the instructions on the packet then put it into a bowl and keep it hot.

2. Heat the oil in a large non-stick wok or frying pan, then add the garlic and stir-fry for a few seconds, until golden.

3. Increase the heat to high, add the strips of steak and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes to seal.

4. Add the tofu cubes and broccoli and stir-fry for a few seconds. Stir in the soy sauce, sugar, lime juice and ground Sichuan peppercorns, then stir-fry for about 2 minutes.

5. Transfer to warm serving plates or bowls and serve immediately with the rice and chili sauce or other sauce.

Note: China's western province is famous for its spicy cuisine, full of strong flavors. Sichuan peppercorns, which feature in this meat dish are not, in fact, peppercorns, but the dried berries of a type of ash tree. But, they do have a very peppery flavor.