Round steaks used to be some of the last cuts left at the tail end of our annual side of beef. Since we discovered this recipe they are the first! It turns out baking soda is as a magical meat tenderizer. This recipe takes beautifully lean steaks, and by sprinkling with baking soda for just 10 minutes the pieces come out fork tender. Your favourite restaurant dish at home in minutes, for a fraction of the cost and none of the MSG! This recipe is inspired by 5 Mary’s Ranch.

Ingredients:

1.5 - 2 lb Grass finished round steaks (or roast)

1 or 2 red peppers sliced in thin strips (or swap for snow peas)

1 tbsp soy sauce

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 cup olive oil

1/3 cup corn starch

1-2 garlic cloves crushed

1/2 tsp fresh cracked pepper

Sauce:

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup hoisin sauce

1 tbsp red pepper jelly (or marmalade if prefer less heat)

1 tbsp honey or Maple syrup

1-2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar

1 garlic clove minced

1 tbsp (or more as desired) fresh ginger (grated)

2 tsp toasted sesame seeds

1/4 cup orange juice

1/2 cup water

1 tsp cornstarch

Directions

• Slice steak against the grain as thin as possible (slicing while partially frozen may make this easier)

• Mix together baking soda, garlic, soy sauce and fresh ground pepper (not including the sauce ingredients)

• Put the sliced beef in a large ceramic bowl and pour the above marinade on top. Mix and let sit for 10-15 minutes. This marinates and tenderizes.

• As steak marinates mix all the sauce ingredients together in a sealed container and shake immediately

• Heat a large cast iron skillet to medium high heat, add oil. Toss the 1/3 cup of corn starch to completely coat the beef.

• Fry in batches so the beef strips all lay flat, for about 60-90 seconds per side. (The pan needs to be hot enough that the strips are crispy on the outside but cook to medium on the inside) Once fried set steak aside on plate with paper towel to absorb oil.

• Quickly add sauce to the skillet, whisk and bring to simmer.

• Add beef back to the pan, toss in red pepper strips and coat with sauce. Only cook for another minute or so, pepper strips will remain crisp.

Serve over steamed rice, garnish with more sesame seeds, chopped green onion or even cilantro.

If you have an air fryer try cooking the beef in the airfryer and sauce on stove top.