| Prep: 30 mins | Cook: 40 mins – 60 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 455 | 20g | 8g | 25g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 12g | 3g | 40g | 0.9g |
Why I Love Chinese Garlic Chili Pot
Now, I’ll level with you right away. A dish like the Garlic Chili Pot isn’t exactly something you’d find out in the Big Sky Country. But that’s also exactly why I adore this recipe. As a chef who’s always on the lookout for innovative, tantalizing flavors, this Chinese recipe is something that got my culinary juices flowing.
A Culinary Journey
The very first time I set my eyes, and later hands, on a Garlic Chili Pot, I could almost hear the bustling market streets of China, the sizzle of stir-fries, and the unmistakable hum of a culture that celebrates its food with unparalleled passion. This recipe, with its hearty lean beef spiked with fiery Sichuan peppers and garlic, rides the fine line between savory and spicy. It could easily remind you of other stir fry dishes, but the depth of the Garlic Chili Pot is, in my experience, peerless.
Why, it brings to mind the genius of Gordon Ramsay, who’s always daring us cooks to venture into the unknown, to blend unexpected flavors, much like how I blend my rancher favorites and Native American traditions. Speaking of, a plate full of bison burger or venison steak will definitely round out your meal with this Garlic Chili Pot.
More Than Just A Recipe
Despite its intricate spice profiling, what the Garlic Chili Pot really embodies is the spirit to experiment. You don’t necessarily have to stay true to the list of ingredients. Throw in Montana’s treasured huckleberries for an unexpected sweet twist or swap the beef broth with venison broth if you like.
In essence, the Garlic Chili Pot is a testament to the kind of chef I’ve become – one who appreciates and respects different culinary traditions, yet isn’t afraid to sprinkle in some of my personal twists.
So, do yourself a favor. Give my variation of Garlic Chili Pot a try. Let those chili and garlic flavors do a merry little dance on your palate. Observe how the spices harmonize with the freshness of bell peppers and the earthiness of shiitake mushrooms. To me, every bite is like a brand-new journey. Where will this recipe take you?
What You’ll Need
- 2 lbs lean beef, thinly sliced
- 14 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 4 dried chili peppers, crushed
- 1 tablespoon Sichuan Peppercorns
- 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup Chinese rice wine or dry sherry
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 large bell peppers, sliced
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup bamboo shoots, sliced
- 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
- Salt to taste
Method
Step One
Start with prepping your ingredients by thinly slicing the beef, mincing the garlic, crushing the chili peppers and slicing bell peppers, onion, shiitake mushrooms and bamboo shoots. Also, chop the green onions and set aside.
Step Two
In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Once hot, add minced garlic and crushed dried chili peppers. Sauté for few minutes until fragrant.
Step Three
Add the Sichuan peppercorns to the pot and continue stirring. After a minute, add the thinly sliced beef to the pot. Cook until the beef changes color.
Step Four
Once the beef is cooked, add the low sodium soy sauce, Chinese rice wine or dry sherry, oyster sauce and brown sugar. Stir until everything is well mixed and the sugar is fully dissolved.
Step Five
Allow the mixture to cook for a few more minutes, then pour in the beef broth. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil.
Step Six
When it starts to boil, add the sliced bell peppers, onion, shiitake mushrooms, and bamboo shoots. Lower the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes.
Step Seven
While the mixture is simmering, mix cornstarch with water in a separate bowl to form a slurry. Gradually add this to the pot, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. This will thicken the sauce.
Step Eight
Add salt to your taste. Cook for another 5 minutes until everything is well incorporated.
Step Nine
Just before serving, sprinkle the chopped green onions over the garlic chili pot. Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles. Enjoy your home cooked Garlic Chili Pot!
