Friday, June 22, 2012

Foodie Fridays: Chinese Five Spice Steak with Rice Noodles


I'm back again participating in the Geeky Blogger Book Blog's new Foodie Friday's meme.  She started this meme to combine her two faves--books and cooking.  Seeing as how I share those loves AND cooking decreases my stress, I couldn't contain my excitement.  I could kill two birds with one stone. It will be the perfect addition to Reflections of a Bookaholic as other content will slow and I can document the cooking I will do as I attempt to decrease the stress of bar prep.

First Cookbook up?

Chinese Five Spice Steak with Rice Noodles

Ingredients

4 ounces uncooked wide rice stick noodles
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon five-spice powder
1 (1-pound) flank steak, trimmed and cut into 1/4-inch strips
2 teaspoons canola oil
2 tablespoons minced green onions
2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic
2 medium tomatoes, each cut into 6 wedges
2 green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil


Preparation:


Cook noodles according to package directions. While noodles cook, combine hoisin sauce, soy sauce, five-spice powder, and steak in a large bowl. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced green onions and garlic; saute 30 seconds. Add beef mixture; cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in tomato wedges, green onion pieces, and chopped basil; cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Review:

Oh this one is oh so yummy!

I loved... how tender the meat is.  I usually don't get meat this tender without marinating it for a couple of hours.  The recipe didn't call for marinating and it certainly wasn't needed.

I loved... that there weren't that many ingredients and I had everything except the noodles and the spice around the house.  Well I had to buy the flank steak but you know what I mean.

I loved... that this was a pretty quick meal.  I had the store cut the steak for me so all I had to do here was throw everything together and boil the noodles (which I didn't eat).

I didn't actually eat the noodles.  I put them on my plate for pictures, but I think I would have preferred brown rice with this one.  My only complaint (and this is a minor one) is the sodium.   I can ingest a lot of sodium just like the next person.  I do eat processed foods after all.  But for some reason, I really noticed the sodium in the taste here.  Next time, I'll cut down the low sodium soy sauce to one tablespoon and cut the hoisin sauce just a bit too.

I cooked this one just to spice it up a bit.  I don't eat red meat much because I don't digest it well.  So what did you think?  Would you try this one?  


Coming up next week... one more recipe on this cookbook and a review on the cookbook as a whole.

Previous Recipes from Cooking Light: The Complete Quick Cook
Hunan Lamb 
Barbecued Chicken Pizza
Chicken Chilaquiles
Blog Widget by LinkWithin

8 comments:

  1. I have noticed when I use flank steak that it seems to soak in the sodium more than say sirloin. I don't know why but it does. That being said I love flank steak with soy sauce based rubbings. I am going to have to try this with some white rice!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am definitely in love with flank steak itself. I might try a different soy sauce this time.

      Delete
  2. I love quick recipes and this does sound good. I don't eat red meat though except for a hamburger now and then so I'd probably attempt a different type of meat in it. Same for the sodium. I'd be finding a way to cut it down. I would go with the noodles though - I love noodles! Lol.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've started substituting different meats in recipes as well. I don't see a problem at all with this. I'm not much of a noodle person! I like potatoes though. Lots of them :)

      Delete
  3. This sounds pretty yummy!
    :D
    I can't wait for your review of the whole book :D

    ReplyDelete
  4. Looks awesome. I love what acidic sauces do to meat.

    I bet this would be awesome with quinoa.

    ReplyDelete

I absolutely LOVE all comments! So please feel free to chime in with your thoughts, questions, opinions, or whatever else you have to say.

Don't forget to check back as I reply to comments. Dialogue is good right?

09 10