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Stir-Fried Beef With Basil And Chiles

Ingredients

• About 1 1/2 pounds flank, sirloin, or strip steak
• 1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
• 1 teaspoon plus 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic or more to taste
• Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• 1/2 cup chopped peanuts, optional

Directions

1. Put the meat in the freezer for 15 to 30 minutes.
2. If the basil leaves are large, roughly chop them.
3. Once the meat is firm, slice it across the grain thinly, then cut the slices into thin strips no more than 3 inches long.
4. Combine the beef, basil, and the 1 teaspoon oil in a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes so the flavor of the basil accents the beef.
5. When ready to cook, put a skillet over high heat until it begins to smoke, 3 to 4 minutes.
6. Lower the heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil.
7. Swirl it around to coat the bottom of the pan and add the garlic; stir once or twice.
8. As soon as the garlic begins to color - 10 to 15 seconds - return the heat to high and add the beef-basil mixture; sprinkle with bit of salt and the crushed red pepper.
9. Stir frequently but not constantly, until the meat loses its red color, 1 or 2 minutes.
10. Add 2 tablespoons water, then the soy sauce and lime juice, and stir.
11. If the mixture looks dry, add 1 or 2 tablespoons water.
12. Turn off the heat, garnish with the chopped peanuts, and serve.

Attribution