Best Lighter Chinese Chilli Beef Recipes

CRISPY CHILLI BEEF

Steps:

• Place the steak strips in a bowl and add the egg. Mix together to thoroughly coat the steak in the egg.
• Add the 4tbsp cornflour, ¼ tsp each of salt and pepper and 1/8 tsp of white pepper.
• Toss together to coat the steak. It will be a sticky mixture.
• Heat 3 tbsp of the oil in a large frying pan (skillet) or wok over a high heat until very hot.
• You will probably need to work in two batches, so when the oil is hot, add in half the beef - a strip at a time - and spread it out.
• Fry the steak until dark brown and crispy. Try not to move the meat around too much as this reduces the amount of crispiness you get. It generally takes about 5 or 6 minutes to crisp up the beef, with about 3 or 4 stirs during that time.
• Using a slotted spoon or tongs, remove the beef from the pan and place in a bowl lined with kitchen roll to soak up excess fat.
• Add a further tablespoon of oil and repeat - cooking the second batch of beef and then placing in the bowl with the first batch.
• Once you've removed all the beef from the pan, add the remaining ½ tbsp of oil to the pan and turn the heat down to medium.
• Add in the sliced onion and cook for 2 minutes until slightly softened.
• Add in the finely chopped chilli, 1 tsp minced ginger and 3 minced cloves of garlic and cook whilst stirring for 30 seconds.
• Add the 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 3tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp tomato puree, 6 tbsp sugar, 2 tbsp tomato ketchup and the 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce to the pan.
• Turn up the heat and let it bubble for a couple of minutes until the sauce starts to reduce a little.
• Add the beef back in, give it a stir and heat through for 1-2 minutes - until the beef is hot.
• Serve with rice or noodles.

CRISPY CHILLI BEEF

Steps:

• Put 350g thin-cut minute steak strips in a bowl and toss in 3 tbsp cornflour and 2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder.
• Heat 100ml vegetable oil in a wok or large frying pan until hot, then add the beef and fry until golden and crisp.
• Scoop out the beef and drain on kitchen paper. Pour away all but 1 tbsp oil.
• Add 1 thinly sliced red pepper, ½ thinly sliced red chilli, sliced white ends of 4 spring onions, 2 crushed garlic cloves and thumb-sized piece ginger, cut into matchsticks, to the pan. Stir-fry for 3 mins to soften, but don't let the garlic and ginger burn.
• Mix the 4 tbsp rice wine vinegar or white wine vinegar, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce and 2 tbsp tomato ketchup in a jug with 2 tbsp water, then pour over the veg.
• Bubble for 2 mins, then add the beef back to the pan and toss well to coat.
• Serve the beef on noodles with prawn crackers, if you like, scattered with the remaining ½ sliced red chilli and sliced green parts of the spring onions.

CRISPY CHILLI BEEF WITH SWEET CHILLI SAUCE

Steps:

• Cut beef into thin strips. Marinate the beef strips with the all ingredients in the marinate list. Mix well and marinate for 15 mins.
• In a small bowl mix all the ingredients from the stir fry sauce list and set aside.
• Break one egg into the the marinated beef strips. Mix well.
• Coat the beef strips with corn/potato flour. Make sure all the beef strips are seperated. Toss the excess flour out before frying.
• Heat the oil into hight heat about 350 F. Add the coated beef and deep fry for 1-2 mins till crispy.
• Remove from oil and transfer to paper towel or cooling rack.
• Heat the wok/pan to medium high heat. Drizzle a tablespoon of oil, add the cut onions and stir for few seconds. Then add the pepper slices, stir well.
• Add the fried beef strips. Pour the sauce mix, add the spring onions and fresh chillies. Stir well to combine all ingredients with high heat for 1- 2 mins.
• Transfer to serving plate. Serve immediately!
• Match with hot steamed/cooked rice or stir fry noodle. Perfect as a savory snack too!

LIGHTER BEEF CHILI

Steps:

• In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat oil over medium-high. Add onion and garlic, and season with salt and pepper. Cook until softened, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Add tomato paste, chili powder, and cocoa powder. Cook, stirring, until mixture is fragrant, about 1 minute. Add beef, and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until no longer pink, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Add tomatoes (with their juice) and beans. Bring to a boil over high; reduce to a simmer, and cook until chili is slightly thickened, 10 to 15 minutes. Serve with toppings, if desired.