Chinese New Year will be celebrated on Jan. 22 this year, which is the year of the rabbit. If you’d like to indulge in a Chinese-inspired meal to celebrate at home, here are two well-known dishes to add to the festivities.
The first, Chinese Pepper Steak, is quick and easy to make, and the second, Egg Drop Soup, is a good recipe to keep on hand not only for the Chinese holiday, but also for any time you’re feeling under the weather and need a comforting, steaming hot bowl of soup. Happy Chinese New Year!
CHINESE PEPPER STEAK
1 pound boneless beef sirloin steak
1/8 cup, plus 1 tablespoon teriyaki sauce, divided
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
2 medium-size green, red or yellow bell peppers, or a mixture of the three, cut into 1-inch squares
2 medium onions, cut into 1-inch squares
1/8 cup soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
Hot cooked rice (optional)
Cut beef across grain into thin strips, then into 1-inch squares; coat with 1 tablespoon teriyaki sauce. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in hot wok or large skillet over high heat. Add beef and stir-fry 1 minute; remove.
Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in same pan. Add peppers and onions; stir-fry 5 minutes. Stir in beef.
Mix remaining teriyaki sauce and soy sauce in a small bowl or cup and add the Chinese five-spice powder. Stir until blended. Stir mixture into beef and vegetable mixture and stir until all are coated with the sauce and beef is no longer pink.
If using rice, make a bed of cooked rice on a plate or platter and spoon pepper-steak mixture over rice. Serve immediately. Makes 4 large servings.
EGG DROP SOUP
1 (32-ounce) container of ready-to-serve chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger or grated ginger root
2 eggs, beaten
3 tablespoons sliced green onions, divided
In medium saucepan or wok, combine broth, soy sauce, ginger or ginger root and one tablespoon sliced, green onions. Bring to a rolling boil.
Slowly stir in eggs with a fork, stirring constantly until egg forms threads, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat; sprinkle with green onions.
Serve hot. Makes about 4 (1-cup) servings.
Brotherton offers website readers one stellar recipe a week in the “My Leader Yummy” feature. Looking for a recipe you can’t find? Email me at kbrotherton42@gmail.com and I’ll see if I have it.
