For those home cooks who look forward to a short ingredient list and a quick cooking time, but demand great taste, this recipe is for you. This stir-fried spin on Chinese Orange Beef, a perennial favorite, typically calls for deep-frying the meat; plus using a myriad of spices and techniques. But you don’t have to worry about any of that here.
The recipe uses orange marmalade to add layers of sweetness, bitterness and citrusy brightness. Five-spice powder adds to the complexity with its warm spiciness. Then the stir-fry is finished with scallions or basil to accentuate the anise notes of the five-spice. Serve with steamed white or brown rice; and perhaps a side salad if you crave more veggies.


Stir-Fried Orange Beef with Scallions
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs. beef flat-iron steak OR boneless beef short ribs OR flap meat, trimmed and sliced ¼ inch thick against the grain
- 1½ tsp. Chinese five-spice powder
- Ground black pepper OR ground white pepper
- 1 Tbsp. neutral oil
- 3 Tbsp. orange marmalade
- 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 1 bunch scallions, whites and light greens cut into 1-inch lengths, dark greens chopped for garnish OR 1 cup lightly packed fresh basil, torn if large
- Juice from 1⁄2 orange, plus extra wedges to serve






Directions
- Toss the beef with the five-spice and ½ teaspoon pepper.
- In a 12-inch skillet, heat the oil until barely smoking. Add the beef in an even layer and cook without stirring until browned on the bottom, about 3 minutes.
- Stir, then add the marmalade and soy sauce. Cook, stirring, until the beef is lightly glazed. Off heat, stir in the scallions and orange juice. Season with pepper and additional orange juice.
Adapted from a recipe by Courtney Hill for Milk Street

























































































































