Orange Beef

Made with dried orange peel, this spicy dish is from the
Hunan region.

Serves 4

Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound thick flank steak, weighed after trimming, cut
into strips 2 1/2 inches by 1/4 inch
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon egg white, lightly beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon Shao-Hsing rice wine or dry sherry
- Pinch freshly ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon peanut oil
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch

For the Sauce
- 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon Chinese white rice vinegar or distilled vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Chicken stock
- Pinch freshly ground white pepper


- 5 dried small chilies
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 fresh Thai chili, minced
- 1 1/2 tablespoons 1/2 by 1/8 inch pieces fresh orange peel,
most of pith removed
- 2 scallions, trimmed and cut into 2-inch sections
- 6 slices fresh orange

- 3 1/2 cups peanut oil to deep-fry the beef, 1 tablespoon
will also be used for stir-frying


Directions:

Marinate the beef with baking soda in the refrigerator for
8 hours, or, preferably, overnight. After marinating, wash
thoroughly, twice, with cold water. Drain and dry with paper
towels. Place the beef in a bowl, add the egg white, and mix
well until the beef is coated. Add the wine, white pepper,
1 tablespoon peanut oil, and cornstarch, mixing with your
hand each time an ingredient is added. Allow to rest for
1 hour, refrigerated. There should be no residue.

In a bowl, combine the sauce ingredients and set aside.

Heat a wok over high heat for 1 minute. Add the 3 1/2 cups
peanut oil and heat to 400 degrees Farhenheit. Place the
beef strips, one at a time, in the oil and cook for 1 1/2
minutes, loosening the beef with a spatula. Remove with a
strainer and drain. Heat the oil again to 425 degrees
Fahrenheit. Place the beef strips again in the oil and cook
for 2 minutes, until the beef becomes crisp. Remove and
allow to drain.

Drain off all but 1 tablespoon oil from the wok and heat
over high heat for 20 seconds. Add the dried chilies, stir,
and cook until darkened. Add the ginger and garlic and stir
briefly. Add the fresh chili and orange peel and stir briefly.
Add the scallions, and mix well. Add the beef and cook,
stirring, for 45 seconds. Make a well in the center of the
mixture, stir the sauce mixture, and pour in. Mix well until
the sauce is absorbed and the beef acquires a shiny coating.
Remove to a serving dish and serve, garnished with the orange slices.