Okay, that was a bad pun, but I was trying to think of something funny to start out about the dinner I made last night. I wanted to make something simple and use what I already had in the house, and I came across this recipe from Bon Appetit for Orange Broccoli, Beef and Mushrooms. It was quite a simple stir fry with a nice refreshing flavor. The orange taste didn’t overpower anything (as a matter of fact, Sean didn’t even know it was in the recipe) and gave the stir fry a different twist to it.

Orange Broccoli, Beef, and Mushrooms

1/2 cup fresh orange juice

5 teaspoons soy sauce

1 teaspoon grated, peeled ginger plus 2 1/2-inch pieces peeled ginger, julienned

4 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil, divided

1 bunch of broccoli, cut into small florets

1 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning

1/4 teaspoon sugar

1/2 pound flank steak

Freshly ground black pepper

1 large shallot, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

3 ounces shiitake or other mushrooms, stems removed, caps quartered

Steamed white or brown rice

Stir the orange juice, soy sauce and 1 teaspoon of the grated ginger in a small bowl. Set aside.

Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Place a large plate or platter on the work surface near the skillet. Stir the julienned ginger into the oil; add the broccoli and cook, tossing to coat, for 1 minute. Stir in 1 teaspoon of salt and the sugar; add 1/4 cup of water and cover. Steam, lifting the cover and stirring once, until the broccoli is bright green and crisp-tender, about 2-3 minutes. Transfer the broccoli mixture to the plate and set aside.

Wipe out the skillet, then heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Season the flank steak with salt and pepper. Cook for 1 1/2 minutes; turn and cook for 1 1/2 minutes longer. Transfer the steak to a cutting board and let it rest for 3 minutes. Slice the steak against the grain into 1/4 inch slices.

Wipe out the skillet, then heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in the skillet. Add the shallot and garlic and cook, stirring often, for 1 minute. Add the mushrooms and a pinch of salt; cook stirring occasionally, for 1-2 minutes. Add the reserved broccoli and the orange juice mixture; increase the heat to high and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pan is almost dry, about 1 minute. Add the flank steak slices and remove the skillet from the heat. Season with additional soy sauce, if desired, and serve with steamed rice.

I used the leftover rice we had from Sunday’s duck dinner, but you can easily make a fresh pot of rice to go with the dinner. I think you’ll really enjoy the flavor of this one and it takes almost no time at all to cook, which is perfect for a weeknight meal.

Tomorrow night, I am thinking chicken. i have some boneless chicken thighs and haven’t decided what to do with them yet, but I will come up with something (and hopefully it will be delicious!). Until tomorrow, enjoy your evening and enjoy your meal!