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Kung Pao beef recipe

Kung Pao beef recipe

91 ratings

This speedy dinner for two recipe is the perfect healthy homemade alternative to a classic takeaway. With a spicy Szechuan peppercorn and chilli sauce, this stir-fried beef recipe is packed with flavour, high in protein and dairy-free. See method

  • Serves 2
  • 5 mins to prepare and 15 mins to cook
  • 616 calories / serving
  • Healthy
  • Dairy-free

Ingredients

  • 160g basmati rice
  • 1 ½ tsp Shaohsing rice wine
  • 1 ½ tsp dark soy sauce
  • 1 ½ tsp light soy sauce
  • ½ tsp white wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp cornflour
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 35g unsalted peanuts or cashews
  • 250g beef sirloin steak, fat trimmed, sliced into strips
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely sliced
  • 2.5cm piece ginger, cut into matchsticks
  • 3 spring onions, sliced diagonally
  • ½ tsp Szechuan peppercorns, ground to a powder (optional)
  • 1 tsp crushed chillies
Basmati rice can always be swapped for long-grain

Each serving contains

  • Energy

    2590kj
    616kcal     31%

  • Fat

    20g 29%

  • Saturates

    5g 24%

  • Sugars

    2g 3%

  • Salt

    1g 16%

of the reference intake
Carbohydrate 72.5g Protein 41.4g Fibre 3g

Method

  1. Cook the rice to pack instructions, then drain. Put the colander over the pan, cover, and set aside to let the rice steam.
  2. Meanwhile, whisk the rice wine, soy sauces and vinegar with 2 tbsp water and the cornflour to make a smooth sauce.
  3. Heat a wok over a high heat. Add the oil, swirling around the pan to coat. Add the nuts and stir-fry for 30-40 secs, until golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  4. Add the beef to the wok and sear on a high heat for 1-2 mins, stirring. Add the garlic, ginger and two-thirds of the spring onions, and stir-fry for 2-3 mins, until the beef is just cooked. Add the Szechuan pepper, if using, and the chillies. Stir-fry for 30 secs, until fragrant.
  5. Whisk the sauce again, pour over the beef and stir-fry for 1-2 mins. Add the remaining spring onion, mix together and serve with the rice.

See more Chinese recipes

For top tips on protecting you and your family when preparing raw meat and poultry, visit Food Safety in the Home.

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