Make Chinese takeout yourself

Chinese takeout can be a lifesaver on busy weeknights. But if you’ve got a few minutes to spare, you can make many of those favorites at home.

This crispy beef stir-fry comes together in minutes. It only requires shallow frying and you can easily find the ingredients in a grocery store. Substitute tamari for the soy sauce and it’s also gluten-free. Add a cup of steamed broccoli florets for texture and color.

Shredded Crispy Beef With Chili

Serves 4. Adapted from “Chinese Takeout Cookbook” by Kwoklyn Wan (Quadrille Publishing, August 2019, $23).

1 cup cornstarch

2 eggs

1 pound sirloin steak, sliced into strips

Peanut oil, for frying

Thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped

4 garlic cloves, crushed

1 carrot, cut into matchsticks

1/2 onion, cut into strips

3 tablespoons soy sauce

4 tablespoons rice vinegar

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

2 tablespoons honey

2 spring onions, finely sliced

1 tablespoon red chili flakes

Hot sauce like Tabasco or Sriracha, to taste

1/2 tablespoon sesame oil

1 jalapeño, sliced very thin, to serve

2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds, for garnish

Tip cornstarch into large bowl and beat eggs in another. Add beef strips to eggs and mix thoroughly, then transfer to cornstarch, coating each piece and shaking off excess.

Heat enough oil to deep-fry beef in wok to 350 degrees. Carefully drop beef slices into oil in batches and fry for 2-3 minutes, until crispy. Remove and drain on wire rack or plate lined with paper towels.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a nonstick wok, add ginger and garlic, then fry for 20 seconds. Add carrot and onion and continue frying for 1 more minute.

Add soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, honey, spring onions and chili flakes. Add a dash of hot sauce, if using. Bring to a boil. Add crispy beef and stir to coat evenly.

Take off heat and stir in sesame oil. Serve alongside or on top of jasmine rice, with jalapeño and sesame seeds scattered on top.