Orange Scented Beef with Broccoli

Happy February. It's only been here for a week, but already we've had Groundhog's Day, Superbowl Sunday, and Chinese New Year. At my house, the first week of February also means birthday time for West, complete with family and friend parties, cupcakes and a "mint-apolitan" ice cream pie. February is the fastest month, not just because it has 28 days, but also because we don't stop celebrating. (Stay tuned-here comes Mardi Gras, Valentine's Day, and President's Day.) For someone who loves to cook, you couldn't ask for a better month. January has only Martin Luther King day to keep it peppy, and most people are only eating diet cabbage soups and the like. Then comes Feb and everyone chucks the diet and celebrates with chocolate for romance and chili for football and cherries for Washington (and thin mints for the Girl Scouts-smart girls to come knockin' in February). We're working on Chinese New Year over her. Some sources say the holiday lasts for three weeks, so it's perfect for procrastinators, like me. I've got a fantastic orange scented beef with broccoli recipe served over white rice. The beef is tender and juicy and even broccoli nay-sayers will cozy up to the sweet orange and soy. No need to worry about take out prices; this one will feed four all for about $7.00. Best of all-it's table ready in less than thirty minutes. That will give you more time to start thinking about what you're going to make for all of the other holidays that are waiting just around the corner. It is February, you know.

Orange Scented Beef with Broccoli

Estimated Cost: $7.00

Notes: Use any inexpensive cut of lean, tender beef. If you're unsure if the meat is tender enough for stir-fry, ask your butcher. Read through the recipe and have everything ready before you heat the skillet.

5 tablespoons soy sauce

5 tablespoons orange juice

1 teaspoon orange zest

2 tablespoon brown sugar

1/4-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 tablespoon cornstarch

2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

1 pound boneless beef steak, cut across the grain into thin strips

1 bunch of broccoli, cut into bite sized florettes

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1/3 cup chopped green onions

4 cups hot cooked rice

In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, orange juice, orange zest, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, and cornstarch. Heat 1 tablespoon oil over high heat in large skillet. Add beef and stir fry until browned, about three minutes. Transfer beef to a plate. Add broccoli and 4 tablespoons water to skillet. Cover and let steam for two minutes. Uncover and cook until liquid evaporates. Add garlic and green onions to skillet. Stir fry for 30 seconds. Add orange juice mixture and beef back to skillet. Cook until sauce is well blended and beef and broccoli are coated in sauce. Serve over white rice.

Feel like Chicken? Try my Orange Sesame Chicken

with Honey and Soy Broccoli and Mushrooms... with Almond Brown Sugar Cookies for dessert. Next Up: Thinking about Valentine's Day...