Super Tender Mongolian Beef

MARINATE: Add the thinly sliced beef, soy sauce, 1 tablespoon water, cornstarch, baking soda, white pepper, and garlic powder to a bowl and stir to combine. Set aside for at least 15 minutes and ideally, 1-2 hours works best to tenderize the meat.

SAUCE: Combine the ingredients for the sauce in a bowl with a whisk or in a mason jar with a lid.

SEAR THE MEAT: Heat a wok a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 ½ tablespoon of oil and allow for the oil to be just below the smoking point. Add one-third of the meat in a single layer and allow for it to cook through for 1-2 minutes or until it crisp, flip, and continue cooking for another 1 minute. Remove the meat to a plate and repeat with the remaining meat in batches, adding oil as needed.

PUT IT TOGETHER: Add 2 tablespoons of oil to the same skillet and sauté the onion slices and dried red chilies for 1 minute. Add the garlic and give it 30 seconds then, add the beef back into the pan and toss. Kick the heat up to the highest setting and stir everything. Drizzle the sauce over the meat and toss to combine so all the meat is evenly coated in the sauce. Allow the sauce to sizzle and thicken a tiny bit before adding the scallions and tossing until the scallion wilt just a bit. Top with sesame seeds and serve warm!