Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons Chinese Shaoxing rice wine, dry sherry or white vermouth
• 1 pound beef sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain into strips
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
• 3 to 4 tablespoons peanut oil
• 1 1-inch piece fresh ginger, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed
• 5 to 7 dried red chiles, halved
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 8 heads baby bok choy, halved
• Pinch of sugar
• Cooked rice, for serving

Instructions

1. Whisk the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons rice wine in a medium bowl; add the beef, season with salt and pepper and toss to coat. Set aside for 15 minutes.
2. Mix the remaining 1 tablespoon rice wine, the oyster sauce and sesame oil in a large bowl; set the bowl near the stove.
3. Heat a wok or large nonstick skillet over high heat until very hot, about 1 minute. Add 3 tablespoons peanut oil, then the ginger, garlic and chiles; stir-fry until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the beef and cook, stirring or shaking the skillet occasionally, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the beef with a slotted spoon to the sauce mixture and toss.
4. If the pan is dry, add 1 tablespoon peanut oil, then add the onion and stir-fry until just soft, about 2 minutes. Add the bok choy and sugar; stir-fry until just wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Return the beef and any juices to the pan and stir to combine. Serve over the rice.
5. Photograph by Antonis Achilleos