Panda Express Beijing Beef

Beijing Beef is a popular dish served in some American-Chinese restaurants. It typically consists of crispy beef strips coated in a sweet and tangy sauce with a hint of heat. While the exact recipe may vary, here's a general outline to make Beijing Beef at home:

Ingredients: For the beef:

• 1 pound (450 grams) flank steak or sirloin, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• Vegetable oil for frying

For the sauce:

• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon minced ginger
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to your preferred level of spiciness)

For garnish:

• Sliced green onions
• Sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, coat the thinly sliced beef with cornstarch, making sure each piece is evenly coated.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat for frying.
3. Carefully add the coated beef slices to the hot oil in batches, frying until they turn crispy and golden brown. Remove the beef from the oil and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, ketchup, sweet chili sauce, rice vinegar, honey or brown sugar, minced ginger, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes to make the sauce.
5. In a clean skillet or wok, heat a small amount of oil over medium heat. Add the sauce mixture to the skillet and simmer until it thickens and becomes glossy, stirring occasionally.
6. Once the sauce has thickened, add the fried beef to the skillet and toss it gently to coat each piece with the sauce.
7. Continue cooking for another minute or two until the beef is well-coated and heated through.
8. Remove the skillet from the heat and garnish the Beijing Beef with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.
9. Serve the Beijing Beef hot with steamed rice or noodles.

Note: Beijing Beef is known for its crispy texture. If you prefer a saucier version, you can reduce the amount of cornstarch coating on the beef or increase the amount of sauce.

Enjoy your homemade Beijing Beef, a delicious and flavorful dish inspired by American-Chinese cuisine!