Take Out Fake Out | Beef with Snow Peas

Beef with Snow Peas | Once Upon a Recipe

Dudes, it’s Tuesday. And in case you didn’t know/needed a reminder, this week is a short one thanks to Good Friday. Which means, it’s basically hump day TODAY. Which means, we’re halfway to the weekend. I have big plans to pig out on ham (no pun intended) and chocolate this weekend. Easter Feaster!

Just call me the bearer of good news. I am here to make you smile.

Beef with Snow Peas | Once Upon a Recipe

And if a short work week + a long weekend isn’t enough to turn the corners of your mouth upwards into a $%@#-eating grin, then I’ve got a back-up plan.

Take out fake out!

Beef with Snow Peas | Once Upon a Recipe

Indeed friends, you are mere minutes away from creating a delicious take-out-esque meal right in the comfort of your own kitchen. Put those Chinese food menus aside and your phones down. In all honesty, I’m not a big fan of Chinese take-out. I rarely crave it, and when I do eat it – as good as it may taste during it’s consumption – I always feel less than great about an hour afterwards. Thanks MSG…not.

Beef with Snow Peas | Once Upon a Recipe

This recipe comes from trusty Ree over at The Pioneer Woman. I first made this dish many months ago and was stunned by how easy and flavorful it is, despite its short ingredient list and quick prep and cook time. Yesterday, after a hectic day at work and a severe case of the Monday blues, I was ready to give in to a dinner of cereal/toast/cookies, or some combination of the three, when this dish came to mind. A quick stop at the grocery store + 20 minutes in my kitchen = saved. Before I knew it I was planted in front of my TV watching the Girls season finale (recorded from last weekend – umm, loved it!) with a tasty meal. This is good stuff people.

Life is short. Make yourself a delicious dinner.

Beef with Snow Peas | Once Upon a Recipe

Beef with Snow Peas (slightly adapted from The Pioneer Woman)

Serves 4-6.

1 pound flank steak, sliced very thin

1/2 cup soy sauce

3 TBSP. rice vinegar

2 TBSP. brown sugar

2 TBSP. cornstarch

1 TBSP. fresh ginger, minced

1 garlic clove, minced

2 cups fresh snow peas, ends trimmed

1/2 cup chopped scallions (about 4-5)

2 TBSP. olive oil

4 cups cooked jasmine rice

Combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, cornstarch, ginger, and garlic in a small bowl. Place the sliced flank steak in a large bowl and pour half of the mixture over top, tossing to coat. Set the remainder of the marinade aside.

Heat the olive oil in a wok over hight heat. Add the snow peas and cook for about a minute, stirring constantly. Transfer the cooked snow peas to a plate and set aside. Allow the pan to heat up again to cook the steak. Add half of the steak to the pan in a single layer, along with half of the scallions. Allow the steak to cook for a minute and then turn over, cooking for an additional 30 seconds. Transfer to a clean plate. Repeat with the remaining steak and scallions.

Add the first batch of steak back to the wok, along with the snow peas and remaining marinade. Stir for another minute, then remove from heat. Serve immediately over rice.

Beef with Snow Peas | Once Upon a Recipe

PS. I am on dessert-making duty for two Easter dinners this weekend. Any suggestions?!

Comments

  1. Whoa. This looks like a dream! I’ve been craving take-out, but avoiding it because it’s probably the worst for me! This, on the other hand, looks SO delicious and I just might have to make this immediately.

    P.S. Oh! For Easter dessert I recommend lemon poppy seed shortcakes! So good and pretty. I made them last year! And maybe a dreamy carrot cake?! You got this!

  2. This does look good! Insanely good. And I totally agree with the take out depression after eating it. It’s like an abusive relationship that I just keep going back to. And woo hoo for a short week! I’ve also observed Good Friday too.

    As for the desserts, when it comes to Easter I like to go with things where citrus shines through. Orange cake, lemon cupcakes.. I like what Megan recommended too. You can never go wrong with a carrot cake.

  3. I always hate the way I feel after eating greasy Chinese take-out. It is that buyer’s remorse kind of feeling, plus I always just want to take a full belly nap afterwards. The beef looks so tender and juicy! I have to make this!!! Maybe for an easy meal after I consume my weight in ham, eggs, and rye bread this weekend! Also, looooooved the Girls finale! It made up for all the weird Q-tip OCD stuff in the past three episodes. I say for one of your desserts, carrot cake for sure!

    • Ugh, I know right? All the Hannah weirdness was starting to drive me crazy. Plus, I was totally missing Adam!
      3 votes for carrot cake. This is going to happen.

  4. Love this idea for homemade “take out” that you can actually feel good about eating! Love the fresh ginger and the hint of sweet from the sugar – this looks like something my husband and I could agree to love 🙂

  5. This looks sooo good and I love the short ingredient list. Exactly my kinda meal at the moment since I scramble to pull something together at 730 after putting the babe to bed

  6. I love the quirky recipe title 😉

  7. This looks super delicious. Pretty soon I will be swimming in sugar snap peas from the garden and this seems like a perfect recipe to make with them. Thanks!

  8. Such an amazing recipe.. Looks delicious!! I am definitely going to try this recipe in dinner!! Thanks for sharing 🙂

  9. I’ve made this on about 4 occasions and every time my family loves it. Ginger isn’t usually in my house, so I usually go without that, but I’ll definitely be adding it next time. This is absolutely a favorite to make as of late.

    • Thanks Kim! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I made it again last night for what feels like the hundredth time. So quick, easy, and tasty.
      PS. Try it with the ginger – it definitely adds another dimension of flavor!

  10. This looks great. I haven’t had a Chinese take out in years because of the dreaded after bloat and guilt so I’m always looking for substitutes. This looks great!

    • Thanks Jenna! This recipe is definitely an awesome substitute for Chinese take-out. You can honestly throw it together faster than it would take to place an order at a restaurant and go pick it up!

  11. Hi Amanda! I just tried your recipe. I know the serving suggestion says “serves 4-6” but this managed to work out just right for 2 men. 😉 Best of all there was no disgusting oil dripping all over the place like regular Chinese take aways from the place around the corner.

  12. Kathy Jones says

    I have made this several times and it’s always a winner! I have made it using both snow peas, frozen peas and mushrooms as they are always in my fridge. I’m making it again for dinner today.

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