Star Anise Flank Steak, Watercress with Crispy Garlic and Orange Fennel Salad

Name: Star Anise Flank Steak, Watercress with Crispy Garlic and Orange Fennel Salad
Prep time: P0Y0M0DT0H25M0.000S
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H5M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT0H30M0.000S
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon vegetable oil; 1 shallot, cut in half and sliced; 2 star anise, whole; 1 Thai red chile, slit lengthwise, seeded and kept in one piece; 2 cups store-bought orange juice; Zest and juice of 2 oranges; 1 tablespoon fresh smashed ginger; 1/2 cup sugar; 1 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce; 1 teaspoon soy sauce; 2 whole star anise, ground in mortar and pestle; 1 tablespoon butter, cold; Kosher salt; 1 flank steak, cut into 1/4-inch slices across the grain; 3/4 cup cornstarch; 2 tablespoons garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 2 star anise, ground in mortar and pestle; Vegetable oil, for frying; Star Anise-Orange Sauce; Kosher salt; 3 oranges, peeled and segmented; 1/2 bulb fennel, thinly sliced; 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced; 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar; 1/2 bunch fresh mint, leaves picked; 1/3 cup, sliced almonds; Kosher salt; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

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Level: Intermediate
Total: 30 min

Prep: 25 min
Cook: 5 min

Yield: 4 servings

Level: Intermediate
Total: 30 min

Prep: 25 min
Cook: 5 min

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Star Anise-Orange Sauce:

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 shallot, cut in half and sliced

2 star anise, whole

1 Thai red chile, slit lengthwise, seeded and kept in one piece

2 cups store-bought orange juice

Zest and juice of 2 oranges

1 tablespoon fresh smashed ginger

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce

1 teaspoon soy sauce

2 whole star anise, ground in mortar and pestle

1 tablespoon butter, cold

Kosher salt

Flank Steak:

1 flank steak, cut into 1/4-inch slices across the grain

3/4 cup cornstarch

2 tablespoons garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 star anise, ground in mortar and pestle

Vegetable oil, for frying

Star Anise-Orange Sauce

Kosher salt

Orange Fennel Salad:

3 oranges, peeled and segmented

1/2 bulb fennel, thinly sliced

1/4 red onion, thinly sliced

2 teaspoons white wine vinegar

1/2 bunch fresh mint, leaves picked

1/3 cup, sliced almonds

Kosher salt

Watercress with Crispy Garlic:

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 cloves garlic, chopped

2 bunches watercress, rinsed and dried

Kosher salt

Directions

For the star anise-orange sauce: Heat the oil in a saute pan over medium-high heat. Saute the shallots, tossing until they are golden brown, approximately 1 to 2 minutes. Add the whole star anise and chile. Deglaze with the fresh orange juice. Add the ginger and sugar, stir. Reduce the sauce over medium-high heat until a syrup consistency, approximately 5 minutes. Strain into a smaller saucepan, and return to the stove. Add the fish sauce, soy sauce, ground star anise and orange zest. Cook over medium-low heat until the orange zest is tender, approximately 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the butter, stir to incorporate. Season the mixture with salt.
For the flank steak: In a large, wide-based pot, heat the oil to 365 degrees F. Prepare a sheet tray lined with paper towel.
Place the cornstarch, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and half of 1 ground star anise in a bowl. Lightly dredge the flank steak slices in the cornstarch mixture in batches.
Fry the flank steak slices in batches. Remove the steak from the oil and place on a lined tray. Fry the remaining flank steak, repeating the process. Place the flank steak in a large bowl, toss with the Star Anise Orange Sauce and season with the other half of the ground star anise and salt.
To make the Orange Fennel Salad: In a bowl, add the oranges, fennel, red onion, and vinegar. Season with salt and mix well. Add the fresh mint leaves and sliced almonds just before serving.
To make the Watercress with Crispy Garlic: In a saute pan, heat the oil over high heat. Fry the garlic, tossing constantly, until golden brown, ensuring the garlic does not burn. Add the watercress and toss. Cook until just beginning to wilt, approximately 1 to 2 minutes. Season with salt.