Crispy Chilli Beef: A Chinese Style Recipe That’s Spicy And Full Of Flavors

Crispy Chilli Beef is a well-known restaurant-style dish made with thin beef slices deep-fried until crispy and served with a delicious sauce. This dish offers a spicy-sweet taste that complements the spicy sweet chili sauce and soy sauce blended with a splash of tomato ketchup and some fresh veggies. Here are the steps to make crispy chilli beef in the comfort of your own home.

Ingredients

• Beef: Beef cut into thin slices (up to 350g)
• Breading: Cornflour, five-spice powder
• Vegetables: Spring onions, red chili, ginger, red pepper, garlic
• Sauce: Sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar or white wine vinegar, tomato ketchup
• Accompaniments: Cooked noodles, prawn crackers

Instructions

1. Prepare the Beef: In a bowl, combine cornstarch with five-spice powder, then add thin beef strips to the mixture. This will give the beef a nice crunch when cooked.
2. Crisp the Beef: Deep fry the coated beef in hot oil over medium heat until golden brown and crispy. Once done, drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
3. Stir-fry the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add garlic, ginger, sliced red pepper, red chili, and the chopped white parts of spring onion. Stir-fry on low heat for about a minute.
4. Make the Sauce: Combine rice vinegar, soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, and ketchup in a pan, adding a little water and allowing it to simmer.
5. Finish the Dish: Return the crispy beef to the pan, toss it in the sauce, and finish with the green onion tops and red chili slices. Serve with noodles or prawn crackers on the side.

Tips for Success

• Coating and Frying: The cornflour coating provides the crucial crunch while the hot oil flash-fries the beef for enhanced flavor.
• Adjusting Spice: If the spice level is too high, reduce the amount of red chili or use a milder variety.
• Serving Suggestions: This dish is fantastic served over noodles or rice, and it pairs beautifully with prawn crackers for an authentic touch.

Making this dish at home allows you to enjoy the wonderful taste of a rich combination of sweet, spicy, and salty in a single meal. The bright, sharp flavors of the sauce combined with the crispy beef make this meal truly special.