Entree: China – Qinghai – 牦牛炒土豆 ➤ Máoniú chǎo tǔdòu (Quick wok-fried potatoes tossed with sliced yak meat and aromatics)
Serving Size: 4
Approximate Time
Prep
15 min
Cook
15 min
Additional
10 min
Total
30 min
Ingredients
- 1 lb (454 g) yak meat, thinly sliced against the grain
- 1 lb (454 g) russet or starchy potatoes, peeled and cut into 2 mm–3 mm matchsticks
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil, divided
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 9 g)
- 1 inch (2.5 cm) piece fresh ginger, minced (about 8 g)
- 1 dried red chile or 1 fresh small red chile, sliced (approx. 3 g), optional
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) Shaoxing wine
- 1 tsp (5 g) cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp (30 ml) water
- 2 scallions, sliced on the diagonal (about 30 g)
- 1/2 tsp (3 g) salt, or to taste
- 1/4 tsp (0.5 g) white pepper
- 1 tsp (4 g) sugar
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) water or light stock (for deglazing)
Instructions
1. Prep and par-cook potatoes; marinate meat: Immediately after cutting, rinse the potato matchsticks under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch, then drain and pat dry with a towel. Toss the sliced yak with light soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, cornstarch slurry, and white pepper; let sit 8–10 minutes while you heat a wok until very hot. Add 1 tbsp (15 ml) vegetable oil to the wok and swirl to coat; add the potato matchsticks in a single layer and stir-fry over high heat 3–5 minutes until they begin to turn translucent and are just tender-crisp. Remove potatoes to a plate and keep warm.
2. Stir-fry meat and combine: Add the remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) vegetable oil to the hot wok, add the garlic, ginger, and optional chile and fry 10–20 seconds until fragrant. Add the marinated yak and spread it out so it contacts the hot surface; sear without moving 30–45 seconds, then stir-fry 1–2 minutes until just cooked through. Return the potatoes to the wok, add the sugar, salt, 1 tbsp (15 ml) water or stock, and toss constantly for 30–60 seconds to glaze and finish cooking. Drizzle sesame oil over the top, stir in the sliced scallions, taste and adjust seasoning, and serve immediately.
