quick and easy beef and broccoli

I have so much to tell you, but it’s birthday week and I’m hanging on by this skin of the tooth the Little Sister lost but refuses to part with. So this is going to have to be quick.

The girls have birthdays seven days apart. The farm turns into a B&B/restaurant/function centre during birthday week as our wonderful friends and family come to celebrate with the birthday girls. It’s always a whirlwind, but this year it’s knocking me for six.

When I woke this morning, my arms and legs were already heavy and aching with tired. For the time being, this is my new normal. It won’t be forever but it’s likely to persist for a few months while my body focuses on growing a new immune system from my bone marrow. It’s little price to pay for a miracle.

While I’m not firing on all cylinders, our mid-week meals are simple dinners with a focus on quick wins. This quick and easy beef and broccoli ticks a few boxes – satisfying, ready in minutes and good enough to scratch the take-away itch without, you know, leaving the house!

This is another fast-and-dirty-snapped-with-my-phone-as-I-cooked number, so forgive the photography and trust that one this tastes better than it looks!

quick and easy beef and broccoli

Ingredients:

500g steak, cut into thin slices
500g broccoli florets

for the marinade:
1/3 cup sherry
1/3 cup oyster sauce
1 clove garlic
2 tsp grated ginger
2 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp cornflour

Method:

Combine the ingredients for the marinade in a bowl and whisk to combine. Add the steak and allow to marinate for 20 minutes.

Cook the broccoli in your favourite method. (I steam mine in the microwave).

Heat a splash of oil in a wok, then add the beef and marinade. Cook, stirring until the beef is done and the marinade has reduced to a thick sauce. Add the broccoli and toss through the sauce.

Serve with rice and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
or
Serve with rice and think about how much prettier it would be if topped with toasted sesame seeds, then decide it’s all too hard and eat it, as is, on the couch.

 

I’ll be back with birthday photos, some killer cakes and a cute chelonian* after the Big Sister’s birthday on Sunday (and a few afternoon naps).

in the meantime, hit me with your favourite quick and easy dinner?

* I totally remembered that word without having to look it up, maybe I’m not as tired as I think I am?