Cumin Beef Pepper Steak and Brown Rice

 INGREDIENTS

·         1 1/2 cups brown rice or brown-and-wild-rice blend (Whole Foods brand preferred), cooked to package directions in chicken stock rather than water OR SKIP THE BROWN RICE????

·         1 1/2 to 2 1/2 pounds flat-iron, flank steak or petite filet

·         1 tablespoon cumin seed or 1 rounded tablespoon ground cumin

·         1 1/2 teaspoons Szechuan peppercorns or 2 teaspoons ground Szechuan pepper or regular pepper

·         2 tablespoons stir-fry oil with ginger and garlic or peanut oil

·         2 green bell peppers or large green mild frying peppers, seeded and thinly sliced

·         2 to 3 small dried whole red chilies (look for these in pouches in the Asian foods section of your market or with the dried peppers in the produce section) or 1 tablespoon chili paste, such as Sambal Olek optional !!!!!

·         1 onion, chopped

·         4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

·         1 inch ginger root, peeled and ground

·         1 small piece (2- to 3-inches) cinnamon stick

·         3 tablespoons Tamari or liquid amino

·         A handful cilantro tops

·         1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced on an angle

PREPARATION

Cook rice in stock according to package directions while you prep the meat and vegetables. Do not heat the pan to stir-fry until the rice is resting for the last 10 minutes, per directions on bag.

Place meat in freezer 10 minutes to firm it up for thin slicing.

Toast cumin and peppercorns in small skillet then grind in spice mill.

Very thinly slice meat on an angle against the grain into bite-size pieces. Toss meat with cumin and peppercorn spice blend.

To prepare meat, heat a large skillet or round-bottom pan over high heat with 2 tablespoons high temp cooking oil. When oil ripples and smokes, add beef and brown.  Add peppers, chilies, onions, garlic, ginger and cinnamon stick, and stir-fry to tender-crisp, 2-3 minutes. Add Tamari and remove from heat. Toss with cilantro and scallions, and serve with rice.