Recipe: Spicy Broccoli with Oyster Sauce

1. Place a small skillet over medium heat and add about 1/4 inch of oil. Heat until the oil flows freely and shimmers. Add the garlic slices and cook, stirring, for a couple of minutes, until the garlic turns a light brown. Quickly remove the garlic. (I find it easiest to place a small strainer over a heat-proof bowl and pour the oil and garlic in so the garlic drains and the oil collects in the bowl. If you have a large enough perforated spoon to remove all the garlic at once, that will also work.) Drain the garlic chips briefly on a paper towel, then move to a small bowl. Set aside.

2. Choose a medium-sized saute pan with a lid. Add enough of the garlic-infused oil to coat the bottom of the pan and heat over medium until the oil shimmers.

3. Add the broccoli, pepper flakes and salt, and stir to distribute spices. Add the orange juice and water and cover. Cook for 3 minutes if you prefer slightly crisp broccoli, 4 minutes if you like it more tender.

4. Remove the lid. The liquid should have evaporated; if not, cook for a minute or so until liquid is gone. Add the sherry and stir until the sherry has mostly evaporated. (Note: if the pan is completely dry and the bottom has started to brown, add a tablespoon of water along with the sherry to deglaze.) Add the oyster sauce and optional meat, if using. Turn the heat off. Stir to coat with the oyster sauce and let sit a minute or so to heat up the meat.

5. Serve over rice or noodles, if desired. Garnish with the garlic chips sprinkled over the top.

* If you want to use raw meat, slice it and cook it in the saute pan at Step 2. Remove the meat from the pan, add a little more oil and continue with the recipe at Step 3.