We don’t eat a ton of red meat in our household. Not for lack of desire, but because we are always prioritizing lean meals during the work week. But every time I grocery shop at Trader Joe’s I am enticed by their selection of cut meats – perfectly sliced flank steak, shaved steak, filet rounds – you name it. I know it’s not the premium cuts you’d get at a butcher or even Whole Foods but the ease in which they present it is hard to pass up. 

Which leads me to this recipe, a shiitake-fied version of Pinch of Yum’s Sesame Beef that is damn delicious and fairly straightforward to make. What I like about it is it’s a one-skillet recipe. First you sear the meat, then steam the broccoli, then sautee the mushrooms, garlic, and other goodies before mixing it all together to put on your plate. Sambal Oelek may be the only ingredient you don’t already have in your kitchen but it’s well worth having a small jar in your fridge for any asian-ish meal. I use it all the time for stir frys and can usually be found right next to the soy sauce in the grocery store. 

If you are like my father-in-law who claims he is “allergic” to mushrooms, then you can simply leave them out as well! No harm, no foul. 

So whip out your skillet (or wok if you have one – my preferred cooking apparatus) and give this one a go next time you are craving a savory, salty steak dish to break up the week!

INGREDIENTS

1lb. flank steak

1 32oz. bag of broccoli (or 1 head)

1 5oz. carton sliced shiitake mushrooms

4 cloves garlic

1 inch fresh ginger 

2 sprigs green onion

sesame seeds

sesame oil

1-2 cups cooked jasmine rice 

For the sauce –

½ cup tamari soy sauce

¼ cup water

¼ cup brown sugar

1 tbsp. sambal oelek

2 tbsp. rice vinegar

1 tbsp. cornstarch (can sub potato starch)

Serving Size: 2-4 depending on hunger level

INSTRUCTIONS

• Freeze the flank steak for 30 minutes to make it easier to slice. Then slice against the grain into thin strips and let it rest back to room temp.
• Meanwhile, whisk together all the sauce ingredients. 
• Also a good time to mince the garlic & ginger and set aside for later.
• Cook the rice. (Ratio 1 to 1.5 water for jasmine rice usually)
• Heat a large skillet with a swirl of sesame oil (medium heat). 
• Working in batches, brown the flank steak in single layers in the skillet. Setting aside the cooked meat on a plate until all the steak is done. Remove all from the skillet.
• Add the broccoli to the same skillet. Splash a spoonful or two of water over the broccoli and cook for 3-4 minutes until lightly steamed. Remove from the skillet.
• Lower the heat and add one another swirl of sesame oil. Saute the garlic and ginger for 1-2 minutes.
• Add shiitake mushrooms and stir fry for 3-4 minutes until the mushrooms soften. 
• Pour the sauce over the mushrooms and slowly stir until it thickens a bit.
• Add steak back in the skillet and mix altogether. 
• Sprinkle the steak and shiitakes with sesame seeds then ENJOY over a bed of rice with green onions and the broccoli on the side.