Beef and Broccoli

I love Chinese food and crave it from time to time but let's be honest....who knows what all is in that Chinese takeout?!  I love this dish because it is easy, only uses a few ingredients, and it's much better for you than Chinese takeout.

Ingredients:
1-1.5 pound stir fry beef or flank steak, sliced thin
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons corn starch
6 cups of fresh chopped broccoli florets (1 large head)
1/2 red pepper chopped
1 cup beef broth (plus a little more if sauce over-thickens)
6 garlic cloves minced
1 cup low sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 cup brown sugar (more if you like it sweeter)
rice, cooked

Preparation:
Toss steak with 2 tablespoons of corn starch to coat lightly.
Heat olive oil to medium-high in a large pan and cook steak until browned, only takes a few minutes. Remove beef to a plate.
Add broccoli, red pepper, beef stock, and garlic to the same pot.
Stir well and cover and cook about 10 minutes until broccoli is softened.
Whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, sesame oil (if using), and remaining 2 tablespoons of corn starch.
Add mixture and steak to the broccoli and mix well.  Let cook together for 5 more minutes or until sauce thickens some.
Taste sauce to see if it needs additional sweetness and if so sprinkle in more brown sugar.  If sauce thickens too much add in water or more stock.
Serve over rice and enjoy your homemade takeout!