black bean and chilli beef
2 min readIf you are after a quick ‘one-tray’ supper that is packed with flavour, look no further than this recipe featuring douchi: fermented black beans with a distinctively sharp and salty flavour,and the magic ingredient in the ‘black bean’ stir-fries at the Chinese takeaway. Throw the douchiin with succulent beef strips, fiery chilli flakes, loads of garlic and a generous sprinkling of sugar before amping up the grill to caramelise the outside of the meat. Pop some fresh pakchoi straight onto the tray for the final moments of cooking and voila: dinner is served.
Serves 400g beef rump steak, sliced against the grain into 5mm strips 400g pak choi, snapped off at the base vegetable oil, for greasing handful fresh coriander, roughly chopped steamed jasmine rice, to serve for the marinade 40g fermented black beans 4 cloves garlic, 2 roughly diced and very finely diced 1% 2 tsp dried chilli flakes 1% 2 tbsp granulated sugar tbsp Shaoxing rice win 2 tbsp vegetable oil 12 tsp bicarbonate of soda 12 tbsp cornflour salt 1 For the marinade, rinse the fermented black beans twice in cold water. Drain, then chop them roughly. Using the flat side of the knife blade, press firmly on two-thirds of the beans to mash them into a paste. In a large bowl, mix the black beans with the beef, the remaining marinade ingredi- ents and 60ml water. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes.
2 Submerge the pak choi leaves in bowl of cold water and set aside.
3 Preheat the grill to high (250C/480F/Gas mark 9). Lightly grease a roasting tray with oil, then arrange the marinated beef in a single layer. Grill on the highest rack for 5 minutes, then flip the beef and grill for a further minutes. Move the tray down to the middle rack and push the beef to one side. Fetch the pak choi, shake off any excess water and nestle it next to the beef. Season the pak choi with 2 pinches salt and grill for a further 1-2 minutes until it has just wilted and slightly singed. Sprinkle the coriander over the top and serve with steamed rice.
