Grateful Grits

Tonight’s dinner unfolded as one of those delightful culinary improvisations, born from the age-old question: “What do I have in the kitchen that can be transformed into a satisfying meal?” We’ve all been there, right? But there’s a certain magic in these moments of culinary spontaneity, when the ingredients on hand come together in a harmonious symphony that soon becomes a household favorite. So, let me take you through this serendipitous creation.

What makes this recipe especially endearing to me is its veggie-packed goodness. It’s one of those dishes that makes you feel virtuous, knowing you’re filling your belly with nutritious vegetables while delighting your taste buds. Plus, it’s a one-pot wonder, which means clean-up is a breeze. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves; first, we need to craft this symphony of flavors.

Begin by selecting a nice, deep cast iron skillet or a trusty Dutch oven. Coat the bottom with a drizzle of olive oil and get it heating. As the oil begins to sizzle, add a handful of minced garlic, letting its aromatic essence infuse the air for about a minute. Now, here comes the star of the show – the ground beef. Brown it thoroughly, breaking it into flavorful crumbles. Once your beef is cooked to perfection, give it a quick drain to keep things light and delicious.

While the beef is sizzling away, it’s the perfect time to prep your veggies. Begin with a hearty head of cabbage; peel off its tough outer leaves, carve out the core, and then coarsely chop the remaining cabbage into manageable pieces. Next, a vibrant red bell pepper demands your attention. Slice it into slender, colorful ribbons. For the carrots, you can either engage in some meditative slicing or opt for the pre-sliced variety if time is of the essence. Finally, the green onions, finely chopped, add a touch of freshness to the medley.

With the beef ready and the veggies prepped, push the cooked meat to one side of the pan. Now, it’s the bell pepper’s time to shine. Let it sauté until it begins to soften and release its vibrant essence. Once that’s achieved, invite the cabbage to join the party and stir everything together, creating a flavorful mingling of ingredients. As the cabbage starts to soften, introduce the carrots to the mix, and don’t forget to season it all with a generous pinch of salt and a sprinkle of pepper.

The magic continues as you stir in a splash of red wine vinegar, a dash of ground ginger, and a generous pour of soy sauce. But the real wizardry happens when you add the cornstarch and beef broth mixture, thickening the sauce and uniting the flavors into a harmonious blend.

While the sauce works its alchemy, take a moment to prepare a pot of fluffy rice, the ideal canvas for this delightful creation.  (Please refer to my perfectly prepared rice blog). Spoon the beef and veggie concoction generously over the rice, and you’re ready to savor the serendipity of a wholesome and delightful meal. So, give it a try, and let these fortuitous flavors dance on your taste buds!

Beef and Vegetable Stir Fry

Ingredients

1 lb of Beef                                         

1 Head of Cabbage

1 Red Bell Pepper                               

Shredded carrots

Green Onions                                     

Salt

½ tsp of Pepper                                  

Splash of rice wine vinegar

½ tsp Ground Ginger                          

¼ cup of soy sauce, more for plating

½ cup of beef broth mixed with 1 tsp of cornstarch

1 tbsp of minced garlic

Directions

1. Sauté garlic in olive oil, then brown ground beef. Drain
2. Slice red pepper, Rough Chop Cabbage, sliced carrots, and sliced green onions.
3. Push the ground beef to one side of the pan. Add a tablespoon of sesame oil to the cast iron. Put red pepper in first and allow to soften for about five minutes. Then add cabbage on top. Allow this to steam for about five minutes before stirring. Finally carrots and green onions.
4. Season with salt and pepper, splash of rice wine vinegar, ginger, soy sauce, beef broth cornstarch mixture
5. Allow sauce to thicken while you prepare rice. Please refer to my rice blog for how to prepare the fluffiest rice.