Chinese Beef Stir Fry with Onion and Pepper

Steps

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1. 1
   Trim the silver skin from the beef, cut into large chunks, then slice thinly.
   ▶ ≈0:29
2. 2
   Marinate the beef with soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, dark soy sauce, and baking soda. Mix well and set aside.
   ▶ ≈0:50
3. 3
   Peel and thinly slice the onion; smash and peel the garlic cloves; lightly smack the green chilies and cut into diagonal pieces.
   ▶ ≈1:12
4. 4
   If using raw cumin and sesame seeds, add them to the wok and toast over low heat for 1-2 minutes to release their flavors, then set aside.
   ▶ ≈2:01
5. 5
   Heat the wok over high heat until it's smoking hot—this is the crucial step for creating a non-stick surface and achieving proper searing.
   ▶ ≈2:13
6. 6
   Add the marinated beef and stir for about 2 minutes until nicely charred and developing smoky flavors through the Maillard reaction.
   ▶ ≈2:34
7. 7
   Drizzle Chinese cooking wine along the side of the wok to deglaze, add the onion, chilies, and garlic, and stir for 1.5 minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender.
   ▶ ≈2:54
8. 8
   Add the ground black pepper, red chili flakes, roasted cumin seeds, sesame seeds, and salt. Stir for 30 seconds until everything is well combined.
   ▶ ≈3:17