Beef Lo Mein

I found this recipe in our local newspaper tucked in between all the Christmas cookie recipes.

Lo mein is a favorite for my whole family. It is basically a simple stir fry mixed with noodles. Spaghetti works great for this, but you can use real lo mein noodles if you can find them. This is a quick dish to make, under 30 minutes, including prep work. Make sure you have everything ready to go before you start stir frying, because it goes very fast! Enjoy!

Tip: Freezing the flank steak for 30 minutes before slicing makes it easier to get extra thin slices,  which works best in this dish.

Ingredients:

8 ounces spaghetti or lo mein noodles

1/3 cup oyster sauce

1 teaspoon sesame oil

1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce

1/4 cup rice wine vinegar

1 tablespoon honey

1 pound flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 teaspoons cornstarch

3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

1 tablespoons  minced ginger root

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 medium carrot, cut into matchsticks

1 small head broccoli, cut into small florets

1 red pepper, sliced into thin strips

Preparation:

Cook noodles in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cool water, set aside. 

Meanwhile, whisk oyster sauce, sesame oil, soy sauce,vinegar and honey together in a medium bowl. Place the sliced meat in another bowl and toss with salt and pepper, and then the cornstarch.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet (or wok) over high heat. Add half of the beef and cook, tossing often, until medium-rare, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with another tablespoon oil and remaining beef. Set aside. Heat remaining oil in the same skillet over high heat. Cook ginger, garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring about 30 seconds. Add the carrot and broccoli and cook until vegetables are softened, about 3 minutes. Add the red pepper slices and cook another minute (I like crispy veggies!). Add oyster sauce mixture and reserved noodles and cook, tossing with tongs, until everything is coated and sauce thickens slightly, 2-3 minutes. Add beef and stir to combine. Serve hot.

Serves 4