You won’t find this on the menu in Chinese restaurants. This is a dish that Richard Seto’s parents, Norma and Fong, always made for the family at home. Richard makes it for his friends now, and now you can make this Homestyle Chinese Beef and Tomato Stir Fry for your friends too.

Homestyle Beef and Tomatoes

makes 4 to 6 servings

INGREDIENTS

3–4 Tablespoons cornstarch or tapioca
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1½ lb flank or eye-of-the-round steak, cut in 2 × 1⁄8-inch strips
½ cup oyster sauce, plus more to finish (optional)
8 Tablespoons canola oil, divided
2 yellow onions, cut in wedges
2 Tablespoons finely chopped ginger
8 tomatoes, cut in 4–6 wedges each, depending on the size
1 Tablespoon finely cut fresh cilantro leaves (optional)
2 scallions (green onions), sliced on the diagonal (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine the cornstarch, salt, and pepper in a bowl and set aside.
2. Mix the strips of beef in another bowl with the oyster sauce and 3 Tablespoons of the oil. Let this marinate for at least 15 but not more than 30 minutes at room temperature. Then, sprinkle the cornstarch mixture on top and stir to coat all of the meat. This locks the marinade in the meat and makes the meat look smooth once fried.
3. Heat the wok on high until a drop of water evaporates immediately or the pan begins to smoke.
4. Add 3 Tablespoons of the oil and swirl the wok a bit to coat the sides.
5. Add a third of the beef to the wok and let it sit where it lands for about a minute. This will sear the flavour in. Give it a quick stir-fry and then remove it to a bowl while it’s still slightly pink, about 5 minutes total. Repeat this twice to cook the rest of the beef, transferring it all to one bowl. Set aside.
6. Bring the wok to full heat again and add the last 2 Tablespoons of oil, swirling to coat the sides, then add the onions and ginger and stir-fry until the onions become translucent. Break them up as you stir so that the layers separate.
7. Return the beef to the wok and simmer on low heat until it’s hot. Stir in the tomatoes right before serving, adding more oyster sauce 1 Tablespoon at a time, if desired.
8. Transfer the beef and tomatoes to a serving dish and garnish with cilantro and scallions, if desired.
9. Enjoy with steamed rice.

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Recipe by Karen Anderson from Eat Alberta First, copyright © 2023 by Karen Anderson.