Crispy Orange Beef

Ingredients:

1 lb. sirloin (cut into strips)

2 T oil

1T + 2 tsp cornstarch or arrowroot powder

1 orange (zested and juiced)

¼ onion (sliced)

½ red bell pepper (diced)

4-5 chopped mushrooms *optional*

½ jalapeno (diced)*optional*

1 inch grated fresh ginger

2 cloves garlic

¼ c soy sauce

2 tsp rice wine vinegar

1 T sweetener

1 tsp Chinese 5 spice

½ tsp red chili flakes

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

In a bowl or plastic bag add 2 T soy sauce, 2 tsp orange juice, 1 tsp rice vinegar.  Mix and add sirloin strips.  Marinating for 15-30 minutes.  The longer it sits the better the flavor.  In a small bowl combine 2 T soy sauce, 1 tsp rice vinegar, sweetener, juice, zest, five-spice, chili flakes, and 2 tsp cornstarch.  Mix and set aside.  Heat a non-stick pan or wok on medium heat with 1 T oil.  Remove strip from marinade, pat dry, and sprinkle 1T cornstarch. Toss to coat.  Add to the pan and brown (5-7 minutes).  You may need to do this in batches to get crispness.  Remove strips, reduce heat slightly and add remaining oil, ginger, and garlic.  Cook until fragrant (2 mins) no browning.  Add your onion, peppers, and mushrooms.  Toss to coat and allow to cook 2-3 mins.  Add in the sauce mixture and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to simmer and add in the strips, stir to coat evenly.   The sauce will thicken as it cools.  Enjoy!