Ginger Beef & Asparagus

Taking inspiration from traditional beef and broccoli, I swapped the broccoli for asparagus and streamlined the prep. This version delivers flavor, spice and texture in a mini-recipe that is weeknight friendly. If you have a wok, this is a great time to fire it up. No wok? No problem. An iron skillet or frying pan will do the trick.

Ingredients

1.5 tsp ginger, minced
1.5 tsp garlic, minced
1 tsp red chili pepper, minced
1 tsp Chinese cooking wine (also known as Shaoxing wine which can be substituted with dry cooking Sherry)
1 tsp Tamari (Soy Sauce or Liquid Aminos can be used as a substitute for Tamari)
1 tsp corn starch
8 ounces Sirloin Steak, sliced against the grain into 1/4 inch pieces
8 asparagus spears, stalks trimmed (~2inches) and sliced into 1/4 inch pieces
3/4 cup chicken broth
1.5 tsp toasted sesame oil
2 tbsp avocado oil

Preparation

Prep the sauces and marinades

In a small bowl, combine the aromatics (ginger, garlic and red chili pepper) with 4 tsp of the avocado oil and set aside
In a separate medium bowl, combine 1 tsp Chinese wine, 1 tsp Tamari and 1 tsp cornstarch. Then coat the steak slices in the marinade and set aside
In a 3rd bowl, combine 1/2 cup broth, 1/2 tsp sesame oil, 4 tsp Chinese wine, 2 tsp Tamari and 1 tsp cornstarch. Set aside

Stir-fry the asparagus

Heat the wok over high heat and add 1 tsp avocado oil
Add asparagus and cook, stirring constantly, until they start to brown, approximately 3 to 4 minutes
Add 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 tsp avocado oil, 1/4 cup broth and cook for 1 minute

Stir-fry the aromatics and beef

Add the ginger, garlic and red chili pepper and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds
Add beef and continue to stir until no longer pink, approximately 2 minutes
Add the 3rd sauce mixture (broth, sesame oil, Chinese wine, tamari and cornstarch) to the wok and cook, stirring, until sauce thickens, approximately 1 - 2 minutes

Serve with white rice and enjoy!

Nutrition Corner

Sirloin is low in carbs and an excellent source of protein (about 23 grams in a 3 ounce serving) which supports muscle growth and repair and promotes satiety. Sirloin is also a good source of B vitamins, including 100% daily value of B12. B vitamins support energy production and brain health. Iron supports oxygen transport throughout the body and along with zinc, supports a healthy immune system. While sirloin is considered relatively lean, it is still a source of saturated fat so enjoy red meat in moderation and trim off any visible slabs of fat prior to cooking.

Asparagus is an excellent source of Vitamin K1 (essential for liver production of clotting factors crucial for blood clotting) and carotenoids (beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin). Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body and supports immune function, skin and tissue health, vision support, growth and development. Lutein and zeaxanthin are antioxidants with beneficial effects on eye health. Asparagus also contains anti-inflammatory compounds and is a good source of potassium and fiber. The fermentable fiber in asparagus is a good source of prebiotics.

Ginger is a low-calorie rhizome popular in traditional herbal medicine. Perhaps best known for its anti-inflammatory properties, it is also used to treat a variety of ailments including digestive problems and sore throats. Ginger's bioactive compounds (gingerol when fresh which is converted to shogaol, paradol and zingerone when heated or dried) also act as powerful antioxidants and immunomodulators. Due to its unique spicy, slightly sweet yet peppery taste, ginger is commonly used in cooking and herbal teas.

As an allium, garlic contains allicin, a compound with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Allicin has also been shown to support heart health by helping reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels and improve blood vessel function*.

*Nadeem MS,et al. Allicin, an Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Agent, Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment. Antioxidants (Basel). 2021 Dec 30;11(1):87. doi: 10.3390/antiox11010087. PMID: 35052591; PMCID: PMC8772758.

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