Day 27: Beef with Broccoli

Tonight, I almost failed. Dinner almost didn't happen. Paul got home from a golf outing, which he won, and said that he didn't feel good; Austin was so tired by 5:15 that I knew he would not make it until 6 when dinner would be done, and I would have been happy with a PB and J for dinner. So, I told myself that quitting with 4 days left was not something to be ashamed of and went about the kids bedtime routines figuring I'd throw something together for myself when they went to bed.

After I put the kids to bed, I came downstairs and Paul asked what we were making. I told him that I was quitting early, and he told me I couldn't and that he would cook. So, after a little pep talk from my hubby, I started pulling the ingredients from the fridge.

Tonight, no matter what the food tastes like, was the best night so far of either blog because Paul and I cooked together and enjoyed a meal alone without the kids.

Beef and Broccoli(serves 4)
3/4 lb beef top round, cut into thin strips
2 tablespoons of each:
cornstarch
oyster sauce
honey
soy sauce
canola oil
1/2 cup low sodium beef broth
1 tablespoon dry sherry
1lb broccoli crowns, cut into florets(4 cups)
1 tablespoon ginger, minced and peeled
3 garlic cloves, minced

Step 1: Combine beef with 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Toss well to coat and set aside

Step 2: Combine remaining cornstarch, broth, oyster sauce, honey, soy sauce and sherry in small bowl. Set aside.

Step 3: Cook(boil, steam, etc) broccoli to crisp tender

Step 4: Heat skillet/wok over med-high heat and swirl in oil. Then add beef and stir fry until just cooked through(3-4 minutes). Transfer to a plate.

Step 5: Add ginger and garlic to wok and stir fry until fragrant(about 20 secs).

Step 6: Add broth mixture and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture boils and thickens(about 1 minute).

Step 7: Add beef and broccoli and cook until heated through(about 1 minute).

Calories: 216 WW: 4 points

Kitchen Play by Play: Jewel did not have top round(they don't carry it), so I had to buy top sirloin tip already in strips. I also did not use ginger, but added a clove of garlic(surprise, surprise). Paul took care of the meat prep and commented that the meat/cornstarch mixture felt really weird. Lots of measuring for the sauce, but it went very fast because it was basically 2 tablespoons of everything. Cook time was lightning fast. Total prep and cook time was less than 12 minutes. Even if I had been cooking by myself, I think the meal would have been on the table in 20. I served it with brown rice. Paul was excited while watching it cook and took out his chopsticks and said that he felt like he was at Panda Express.

The Finished Product
The Verdict
Nicole: Meat was a little too chewy for me, but the flavor was awesome!!!! The sauce got really thick and coated everything including the rice really well. I will absolutely make this again, but I will do some research on which meat to use next time. I give it a 4.

Paul-gives a 4.5. "Very tasty, not the best Chinese food I've ever had, but the best homemade Chinese food I've ever had."