Pepper Steak

Pepper steak is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that cooks itself in the slow cooker, resulting in tender and delicious meat. This recipe features beef round steak cut into strips, seasoned with garlic powder, and browned in olive oil. The beef strips are then transferred to a slow cooker, where they are combined with a mixture of cornstarch and beef broth. Chopped onion, green bell peppers, stewed tomatoes, soy sauce, and sugar are added to the slow cooker to create a savory and robust sauce. The dish is cooked on high for 3 to 4 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours, allowing the flavors to meld together and the meat to become tender. Serve this pepper steak over brown rice for a satisfying and complete meal.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 pounds (900 g) beef round steak, cut into 2-inch (5 cm) strips
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) olive oil
• 1 tablespoon (8 g) cornstarch
• ¼ cup (60 ml) low-sodium beef broth
• 1 cup (160 g) chopped onion
• 2 cups (300 g) roughly chopped green bell peppers
• 2 cups (510 ml) no-salt-added stewed tomatoes, with liquid
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar

PREPARATION:

1. Sprinkle the strips of steak with garlic powder.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil and brown the seasoned beef strips.
3. Transfer the browned beef strips to a slow cooker.
4. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch into the beef broth until dissolved. Pour this mixture into the slow cooker with the meat.
5. Stir in the chopped onion, green bell peppers, stewed tomatoes (including the liquid), soy sauce, and sugar.
6. Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours.

YIELD: 6 servings

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PER SERVING:

• Water: 271 g
• Calories: 308 (35% from fat, 48% from protein, 17% from carbs)
• Protein: 37 g
• Total Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 13 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Sugar: 7 g
• Phosphorus: 377 mg
• Calcium: 47 mg
• Iron: 5 mg
• Sodium: 119 mg
• Potassium: 903 mg
• Vitamin A: 332 IU
• Vitamin E (ATE): 0 mg
• Vitamin C: 49 mg
• Cholesterol: 86 mg

TIP: To complete the meal, serve the pepper steak over brown rice. The rice will soak up the flavorful sauce, adding a delicious texture and making it a satisfying and balanced dish.

In conclusion, pepper steak is a classic and beloved dish that showcases the simplicity and boldness of flavors. With its tender strips of beef, vibrant bell peppers, and aromatic peppercorn sauce, pepper steak offers a satisfying and savory dining experience.

The star of pepper steak is the quality cut of beef, typically flank steak or sirloin, that is sliced into thin strips. The beef is seasoned and quickly cooked over high heat, resulting in tender and juicy meat that pairs perfectly with the other ingredients. The addition of colorful bell peppers, such as red, green, and yellow, adds a pleasant crunch and a burst of freshness to the dish.

One of the defining features of pepper steak is the peppercorn sauce that coats the beef and peppers. The sauce, made with a combination of black, green, or mixed peppercorns, along with a savory base of beef broth, soy sauce, and other seasonings, adds a distinct and robust flavor to the dish. The peppercorns provide a subtle heat and a delightful pop of flavor with each bite, enhancing the overall taste of the steak.

Pepper steak is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed with different accompaniments. It pairs well with steamed rice, allowing the sauce to be soaked up and adding a neutral base to balance the flavors. It can also be served alongside mashed potatoes or noodles for a heartier meal. The flexibility of pepper steak makes it suitable for both casual weeknight dinners and special occasions.

In summary, pepper steak is a timeless and satisfying dish that highlights the simplicity and boldness of flavors. Its tender beef, vibrant peppers, and peppercorn sauce come together to create a harmonious combination that delights the taste buds. Whether enjoyed with rice, potatoes, or noodles, pepper steak is a classic choice that never fails to deliver a delicious and comforting dining experience.