Orange Beef with Zesty Aromatics and Crispy Texture

1. Infuse Oil with Ginger and Jalapeño

Heat a tablespoon of neutral oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced fresh ginger and minced jalapeño pepper to the pan, infusing the oil with their flavors for 2-3 minutes, until fragrant.

2. Add Garlic and Orange Juice

Stir in the minced garlic and wait until the sharpness mellows, about 1-2 minutes. Pour in the orange juice, light brown sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and fish sauce to create the sauce.

3. Reduce Sauce to Glaze

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Allow the sauce to thicken and reduce by half, about 10-15 minutes, until it coats the back of a spoon.

4. Prepare Crispy Beef

Whisk together an egg white, cornstarch, and kosher salt. Coat the rib-eye steak pieces in the mixture. In a large skillet or wok, heat the remaining oil and cook the beef until golden and crispy.

5. Add Scallions and Chiles

Add the white parts of the scallions and dried red chiles to the skillet, cooking briefly until aromatic.

6. Combine Beef with Sauce

Pour the reduced orange sauce over the crispy beef in the skillet. Toss to coat each piece with the glaze. Garnish with green scallion parts.