Introduction
Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure with a flavorful beef stir fry featuring roasted cashews and a delicious sweet chili sauce. This dish is packed with protein and layers of flavor, making it a perfect meal for any night of the week. With vibrant vegetables and fluffy jasmine rice, it’s sure to become a family favorite.
Detailed Ingredients with measures
1/3 cup roasted cashews, unsalted (or peanuts)
1 tbsp canola oil, or other plain cooking oil
500 g / 1 lb beef mince (ground beef)
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
3 tbsp roughly chopped coriander/cilantro leaves (sub green onion)
SWEET CHILLI STIR FRY SAUCE:
2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
2 tbsp fish sauce
2 tbsp rice vinegar (sub cider vinegar)
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
SWEET CHILLI DRIZZLE SAUCE:
1 garlic clove, minced using garlic crusher
3 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
2 tbsp lime juice (sub rice vinegar when limes are crazy expensive)
2 tsp fish sauce
SERVING:
2 batches jasmine rice or other plain rice of choice
Steamed or fresh veg (such as chopped cucumber, coriander/cilantro, red onion finely sliced)
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time, Total Time, Yield
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: Serves 4
Detailed Directions and Instructions
Prepare the Drizzle Sauce
In a bowl, mix together the minced garlic clove, sweet chilli sauce, lime juice, and fish sauce. Set this mixture aside for later use.
Prepare the Stir Fry Sauce
In a separate bowl, combine the sweet chilli sauce, fish sauce, rice vinegar, oyster sauce, and dark soy sauce. Mix well and set aside.
Toast the Cashews
Heat a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add the roasted cashews and toast them for about 2 minutes until they are fragrant. Once done, transfer the cashews to a cutting board and let them cool. Once cool, roughly chop them.
Cook the Beef
In the same pan, heat the canola oil over high heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Then, add the beef mince and cook, breaking it up as it cooks, until no raw meat is visible.
Add the Stir Fry Sauce
Pour the prepared stir fry sauce over the cooked beef. Cook and stir well for about 3 to 4 minutes, allowing the sauce to caramelize and reduce. This step is crucial for developing the flavor, so do not rush it.
Serve the Dish
Serve the beef mixture over two batches of jasmine rice or your choice of plain rice. Accompany with steamed or fresh vegetables, such as chopped cucumber, finely sliced red onion, and coriander. Drizzle the previously prepared drizzle sauce over the dish and top it with the chopped cashews and additional coriander if desired. Mix everything together before eating.
Notes
Note 1: Cashews
When toasting cashews, this step enhances their flavor. If using raw nuts, toast them slightly longer until they are cooked through. Peanuts or almonds can also work well. If using salted nuts, consider reducing the fish sauce by about 1/2 tablespoon in the stir fry sauce.
Note 2: Fish Sauce
While fish sauce may have a strong aroma, its flavor mellows as it cooks. It is a key ingredient that adds depth to the overall taste profile. If a substitute is necessary, opt for all-purpose or light soy sauce instead, avoiding dark soy sauce as it is too intense.
Note 3: Oyster Sauce
Oyster sauce adds sweetness and richness, making it a valuable addition to the dish. If necessary, you can substitute it with a vegetarian oyster sauce.
Note 4: Dark Soy Sauce
Dark soy sauce gives the dish a rich brown color and adds flavor. If you don’t have it, you can use all-purpose or light soy sauce, but the dish will be lighter in color and slightly less flavorful.
Note 5: Vegetable Options
Any variety of vegetables can complement this dish. The drizzle sauce will greatly enhance the flavor of both raw vegetables (such as cucumber or shredded cabbage) and cooked vegetables (like steamed broccoli or peas). Feel free to incorporate any of your favorites.
Note 6: Leftovers
Leftover beef can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. When meal prepping, steam vegetables to reheat easily, but avoid storing cooked rice longer than 3 days in the fridge. It’s best to keep the drizzle sauce separate for freshness when reheating leftovers.
Cook techniques
Mixing Sauces
Combine the ingredients for the drizzle sauce and stir fry sauce in separate bowls, ensuring they are well integrated for balanced flavor.
Toasting Nuts
In a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat, add the cashews and toast for about 2 minutes until golden brown. Once toasted, transfer to a cutting board and chop them roughly after cooling.
Sautéing Aromatics
Heat oil in the same pan over high heat, then add finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Cooking Beef
Add ground beef to the sautéed garlic and onion. Cook while breaking up the meat until no raw sections remain visible, ensuring it is cooked evenly.
Reducing Sauce
Add the prepared stir fry sauce to the cooked beef. Stir continuously and allow it to reduce and caramelize for about 3-4 minutes, enhancing the overall flavor.
Serving
Serve the beef mixture over jasmine rice accompanied by fresh or steamed vegetables. Drizzle the sauce over the dish, and top it with the chopped cashews and fresh coriander.
FAQ
Can I substitute the cashews?
Yes, you can use unsalted roasted peanuts or almonds instead. Just toast them slightly longer if they are raw.
What if I don’t have fish sauce?
If you need a substitute, all-purpose soy sauce or light soy sauce can be used, avoiding dark soy due to its intense flavor.
Is there a vegetarian option for oyster sauce?
Yes, vegetarian oyster sauce alternatives are available that can be used without sacrificing flavor.
How long can leftovers be stored?
Leftover beef can be kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. It’s best to store the drizzle sauce separately.
What vegetables pair well with this dish?
The drizzle sauce enhances any vegetable, whether raw like cucumber and leafy greens or cooked like broccoli or cauliflower.
Conclusion
This delicious stir-fry showcases the perfect blend of flavors from beef, roasted cashews, and a variety of sauces, making it an ideal quick meal. It is not only savory and satisfying, but it can also be customized with your choice of vegetables and rice. The incorporation of sweet chili sauce and fish sauce elevates the dish to a new level of taste, ensuring a delightful dining experience.
More recipe suggestions and combination
Vegetable Variation
Substitute the ground beef with minced chicken or turkey for a lighter option and add your favorite stir-fry vegetables such as bell peppers, broccoli, or snow peas.
Alternative Nut Topping
Use toasted almonds or sunflower seeds instead of cashews for a different texture and flavor in the dish.
Curry Fusion
Incorporate curry powder into the beef mixture for an aromatic twist and serve it with basmati rice or naan bread.
Rice Alternatives
Instead of jasmine rice, try quinoa or cauliflower rice for a healthier, low-carb option.
Veggie Bowls
Create a meal prep veggie bowl by serving the beef stir-fry over a bed of mixed greens or shredded cabbage topped with the drizzle sauce.
Spicy Kick
Add sliced fresh chilies or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the cooking process to give the dish an exciting spicy flavor profile.
Sweet and Sour Variation
Incorporate pineapple chunks into the stir-fry for a sweet and sour flavor that contrasts beautifully with the savory elements.
