Delicious Cumin Beef Recipe (孜然牛肉)
Learn how to make mouthwatering Cumin Beef (孜然牛肉) at home with this easy and authentic recipe. Tender slices of beef are seasoned with fragrant cumin and other spices, creating a dish that's bursting with flavour. This Chinese recipe is perfect for spice lovers and a great addition to your home-cooked meals.
Ingredients
- 400 g beef
- 1 tbsp cooking wine for marinate
- 1 tsp five-spice powder
- 10 Sichuan peppercorns
- 1 onion
- 3 slices ginger
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp cooking wine
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp dark soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp cumin seeds
- 2 tbsp red chili flakes or to your taste
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 5 sprigs cilantro
Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Beef
- Begin by slicing the beef into thin pieces and marinating it with a bit of five-spice powder, cooking wine, and set it aside to infuse the flavours. (Can skip this step to save time)
Step 2: Infuse the Oil with Flavour
- Heat up a pan and introduce Sichuan peppercorns. Once their fragrance permeates the air, remove them and set them aside. Their mission is complete.
Step 3: Sauté and Stir-Fry the Beef
- In the same pan, add ginger slices and sliced onions. Sauté until they release their delightful aromas and the onions turn translucent. Add the marinated beef into the pan. Stir-fry it until the beef changes color.
Step 4: Elevate with Spices
- Pour cooking wine, both light and dark soy sauces, and a pinch of sugar over the beef. Give it a quick stir, and when there's still some liquid in the pan, add the cumin seeds, sesame seeds, and red chili flakes. This masterstroke intensifies the dish's flavour, taking it to new heights.
Step 5: Season to Perfection
- When the pan's liquid has evaporated, add a small teaspoon of salt to season the beef. Throw in those aromatic garlic cloves and stir them in quickly.
Step 6: Cilantro Freshness
- Turn off the heat and garnish with cilantro for a burst of freshness.
Serve and Enjoy
- Your mouthwatering Cumin Beef is ready to be served. Savor it with steamed rice or as part of an authentic Chinese meal.
Video
Notes
- To enhance the flavour, add cumin seeds, sesame seeds, and chili flakes while there's still some liquid in the pan to prevent scorching.