Shaking Beef with Watercress

Name: Shaking Beef with Watercress
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs beef sirloin or beef tenderloin, cut into 1-inch cubes; 2 tbsp soy sauce; 2 tbsp oyster sauce; 2 tsp granulated sugar; 6 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tsp black pepper, coarsely ground; 2 tbsp neutral oil with high smoke point; 2 tbsp unsalted butter; 4 cups watercress (or arugula), stems trimmed; 1 red onion, thinly sliced; 2 tbsp rice vinegar; 2 limes; 1/2 tsp kosher salt; 2 ripe tomatoes, sliced into wedges

Vietnamese bo luc lac - tender cubes of soy-marinated beef seared over blazing heat and tossed with garlic, butter, and a lime-salt-pepper dipping sauce, served over a bed of peppery watercress and pickled onion.

30 minMediumServes 4480 cal/serving

VietnameseDinnerStovetopHigh ProteinNut-FreePork-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

1.5 lbs beef sirloin or beef tenderloin, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp oyster sauce
2 tsp granulated sugar
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp black pepper, coarsely ground
2 tbsp neutral oil with high smoke point
2 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cups watercress (or arugula), stems trimmed
1 red onion, thinly sliced
2 tbsp rice vinegar
2 limes
1/2 tsp kosher salt
2 ripe tomatoes, sliced into wedges

Instructions

1

Marinate the beef: toss 1.5 lbs cut into 1-inch cubes beef sirloin or beef tenderloin with 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp oyster sauce, 2 tsp granulated sugar, half the 6 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper. Set aside for 15 minutes at room temperature.
2

Prepare the dipping sauce: mix the juice of 2 limes with 1/2 tsp kosher salt and a pinch of black pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
3

Quick-pickle the onion: toss 1 thinly sliced red onion with 2 tbsp rice vinegar and a pinch of salt. Let sit 10 minutes, then drain. Arrange 4 cups stems trimmed watercress (or arugula) and 2 sliced into wedges ripe tomatoes on a serving platter. Scatter the pickled onion over the top.
4

Heat a large wok or cast-iron skillet over the highest heat possible until it begins to smoke. Add 2 tbsp neutral oil with high smoke point.
5

Add the marinated beef in a single layer - do not crowd the pan (cook in batches if needed). Sear for 1 minute without moving, then shake or toss the pan to turn the cubes. Add the remaining garlic and 2 tbsp unsalted butter and toss continuously for another 1-2 minutes. The beef should be seared and browned on the outside and still slightly pink inside (internal temperature 135-145°F / 57-63°C depending on preference).
6

Immediately tip the hot beef and all the pan juices over the prepared watercress platter. Serve at once with the lime dipping sauce on the side.

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Questions

How much time should I plan for Shaking Beef with Watercress?

As written, 30 minutes: 20 of prep and 10 of cooking. The longest single stretch is the hands-off wait in step 1, 15 minutes.

What internal temperature should Shaking Beef with Watercress reach?

For Shaking Beef with Watercress, the target internal temperature is 145 F (about 65 C), given in step 5. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

Can I skip the searing in Shaking Beef with Watercress?

Step 5 reads: "Sear for 1 minute without moving, then shake or toss the pan to turn the cubes." You can, but you give up flavor. The browning in step 5 builds the savory base the rest of the dish is seasoned against. Give the pieces room so the pan stays hot.

What equipment do I need for Shaking Beef with Watercress?

Beyond a knife and a board, the method uses a cast-iron skillet (step 4) and a wok (step 4). If you do not have one, a heavy stainless skillet replaces the cast iron; preheat it a little longer.

Is there a substitute for oyster sauce in Shaking Beef with Watercress?

The entry for Shaking Beef with Watercress calls for 2 tbsp oyster sauce. In its place: Hoisin thinned with a little soy sauce is the nearest shelf substitute, and a mushroom stir-fry sauce is the vegetarian one. Both are sweeter, so hold back any sugar in the recipe.

Can I make Shaking Beef with Watercress gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in Shaking Beef with Watercress is 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp oyster sauce. Swap the soy-based sauce for tamari or coconut aminos. Everything else proceeds as written.

Does Shaking Beef with Watercress contain shellfish?

Yes: 2 tbsp oyster sauce. The full allergen list for this entry is gluten, dairy, soy and shellfish. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

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