Firecracker beef recipe kicks off the fireworks

July 4, 4:51 PMTampa Inspirational Cook ExaminerJoseph Granato

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Try something different this weekend!

Fireworks... they are the symbol for a "celebration.  What better day to celebrate than today.  Not just because it is our holiday to symbolize "freedom" but because it is another day to "LIVE".  Another day to share, to love, to experience every moment... savoring each and every second.

Food is like that too!  Depending on what you are eating, the "explosion" of flavors could be endless.  The spicier the dish the more of an explosion could happen... it is that mingling of flavors that creates the best explosion of all.  Life should be the same way... when you mingle cultures, you get a blend of flavors of each world, creating a unique... sweet and savory world.

This next recipe is inspired because of the fireworks celebration that is so popular on Forth of July.  It is a mingling of ingredients, creating a great blend of flavors.  There are actually quite a few "Firecracker" recipes, the common ingredient found is... soy sauce, rice wine, some kind of "heat" and some sugar... so maybe you can create your own "firecracker" recipe.  For today, enjoy this...

Firecracker Beef...

             1 pound flank steak (Optional:  cut into 3-by-1/4-inch julienne strips) (another option:  use steaks for individual  servings,  marinate and then grill, serve with the vegetables and rice.  Use steaks like Filet of beef, N.Y. strip, Delmonico...)

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon rice wine
•  
• 4 tablespoons peanut oil, divided
•  
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh ginger (3-inch piece)
• 4 poblano chili peppers (about 4 inches long), cut into 1/4-inch pieces, or 2 jalapeno peppers, minced (increase or decrease the peppers, depending on your desire for hotness)
•  
• 1/4 pound fresh snow peas, trimmed of fibrous side 
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 carrot, peeled and cut into 2-by-1/4-inch julienne strips
• 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch-wide julienne strips
• 4 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, divided
•  
• Steamed white rice

In a medium bowl, combine steak, cornstarch, soy sauce, sugar, and rice wine.  Cover and refrigerate (up to 1 hour).   In a large wok or sauté pan, heat 2 tablespoons oil to high; add steak mixture and cook, stirring often, about 3 minutes.  Remove from heat.

In a separate large wok or sauté pan, heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil, and cook onion and ginger, stirring often, about 2 minutes.  Add peppers, and cook, stirring often, about 1 minute.  Add peas and broccoli, and cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often. Add carrots, red pepper, and about 1/4 cup water, and cook about 3 minutes, stirring often.   Optional:  At this point you can grill the steak and then cut into julienne strips or if you do not prefer to grill, cut the meat into strips while it is uncooked and marinate.  Then add the steak mixture to vegetables and toss well to coat and continue cooking until the beef is cooked.  At the end, stir in 3 tablespoons cilantro and remove from heat.  Serve on a platter with steamed white rice and garnish with remaining cilantro.

This is a nice alternative to the average b-b-q.  You could actually grill the meat whole, have some spring roll skins, get some Asian b-b-q sauce, which is a brown type sauce.  Then take the veggies that you sauteed above and chop them into shreds and make an Asian type fajita.  Now that's the ticket.  So you have a choice today... which ever way you decide you will have an explosion of flavors in your mouth... another words, you are going to experience a "MJM Mouthgasm"! 

Remember, do something today to pay respect to those who have given their lives so that you have the freedom to live YOURS!

Happy Forth of July... I am grateful to be a citizen of this country... of humankind!  Peace 2 U!

"The past cannot be changed.
The future is yet in your power."