Sweet and sour beef is a popular Chinese stir-fry dish. Here’s a simple version that has great flavor and can be made in minutes. The sweet and sour sauce is light so it gently coats the beef and vegetables blending the flavors together, but not masking the taste of each ingredient.

The secret to wok cooking is to achieve a crunchy texture while making sure the food is cooked through. Make sure your wok or skillet is very hot before adding the ingredients. The oil should be smoking. Then add the first ingredient and let sit, without tossing for at least a minute. Repeat this process when adding the main ingredients. This allows the pan to regain its heat after adding the cold food.

Helpful Hints

- To substitute white or red wine vinegar for rice wine vinegar, use 3 ounces vinegar and 1 ounce water.

- For easy stir-frying, place all of the prepared ingredients on a cutting board or plate in order of use. You won’t have to look at the recipe once you start to cook.

Countdown:

- Make rice dish.

- Prepare Sweet and Sour Beef ingredients.

- Stir-fry beef dish.

Shopping List

To buy: 1 bottle rice wine vinegar, 1 package brown sugar, 1 small bottle reduced-sodium soy sauce, 1 container cornstarch, 1 bottle sesame oil, 3/4 pound grass-fed beef tenderloin, 1 red bell pepper, 1 small bok choy, 1 bunch scallions and 1 package microwaveable brown rice.

Staples: salt and black peppercorns.