How to Make Stir-Fried Zucchini with Beef
Stir-fried zucchini with beef offers a satisfying crunch from the zucchini, while the beef remains tender and juicy. This is a healthy dish, especially beneficial for those with high blood pressure, arthritis, or heat-related issues.
Ingredients
- 500g green zucchini, yellow zucchini
- 250g beef
- 10 cloves garlic, 1 piece of ginger
- 1 chili pepper
- Spring onion or leek
- Seasoning: Oyster sauce, MSG, salt, seasoning powder, sugar, pepper
Instructions
Prepare the Zucchini
Remove the stems and ends of the zucchini. The skin of zucchini is soft, rich in nutrients, and not tough, so there's no need to peel it. Soak and wash the zucchini in diluted salt water, then drain.
Slice the zucchini into chunks or rounds, as desired. Then, marinate with 1/2 teaspoon of salt to enhance its flavor since zucchini tends to be mild.
Prepare the Beef
For 250g of beef, marinate it with 1 teaspoon oyster sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon seasoning powder, 1/2 teaspoon MSG, and 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper. To ensure the beef stays tender and doesn't release too much water while stir-frying, also add 1 teaspoon sugar and 2 teaspoons cooking oil. Mix well and let the beef marinate for about 15 minutes.
Prepare Other Ingredients
Peel the garlic, keep the ginger unpeeled but washed, then crush and coarsely chop both.
Clean and chop the spring onions or leeks into pieces about the length of one finger joint.
Wash the chili pepper and cut it into diagonal slices.
Stir-Fry the Zucchini and Beef
Add a little over 1 tablespoon of oil to the pan. Once the oil is hot, add the ginger and half of the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Then, add the beef and stir-fry.
Turn off the heat and transfer the beef to a separate bowl.
Add a little more oil to the same pan, then sauté the remaining garlic until fragrant. Next, add the zucchini and stir-fry.
To prevent the zucchini from burning over high heat, drizzle a little water over it before stir-frying. This trick helps keep the zucchini crispy and green without becoming mushy or dry.
Just like the beef, stir-fry the zucchini over high heat, stirring constantly. Season with oyster sauce and MSG. Stir-fry for about 1 minute until the zucchini is just cooked and still crispy. Then, add the beef back into the pan and stir everything together.
Finally, add the spring onions (or leeks) and chili slices. You can adjust the seasoning to taste one more time.
Stir-fry for another 15 seconds, sprinkle with a bit of ground pepper, stir again, and then turn off the heat. Serve the stir-fried zucchini and beef hot.
The zucchini is cooked perfectly, retaining its vibrant green color and crispy texture, while the beef is tender and flavorful. This dish is savory, aromatic, and delicious.
This is a nutritious dish, and home cooks should regularly prepare it for the whole family to enjoy.
