Well, today is my last day visiting The Hershey Company. I'll be glad to get home to Todd & Fuzz, but I'm going to miss all this chocolate bliss and hope to come back with the family in the near future. Can I tell you how excited I was when I found out I was going to Hershey? I went crazy using Hershey's products and even incorporated them into dinner.
Here's one particularly good beef dish I made with Hershey's cocoa. It was savory and colorful and all-around great, but I will admit to making one change. I stirred in about 2 teaspoons of sugar. If you make it, wait until the end, taste it, then make your decision. I think the sugar lifted the flavors, but they didn't put it in the original recipe.
Recipe
Cocoa Beef Stir-Fry
Ingredients
- 2 cups beef broth
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons HERSHEY'S Cocoa
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic about 4 cloves
- 1-½ teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 pound boneless top round or flank beef steak
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
- 1-½ cups large onion pieces
- 1 cup carrot slices
- 3 cups fresh broccoli florets and pieces
- 1-½ cups sweet red pepper slices
Instructions
- Stir together beef broth, soy sauce, cornstarch, cocoa, garlic, ginger and red pepper flakes; set aside. Cut beef steak into ¼-inch wide strips.
- Heat large skillet or wok over high heat about 1 minute or until hot. Drizzle about 1 tablespoon oil into pan; heat about 30 seconds. Add beef strips; stir-fry until well browned. Remove from heat; set aside.
- Drizzle remaining 2 tablespoons oil into pan; add onion pieces and carrots. Stir-fry until onion is crisp, but tender. Add broccoli and red pepper strips; cook until crisp-tender.
- Return beef to pan; add broth mixture. Cook and stir until mixture comes to a boil and thickens. Serve over hot rice with additional soy sauce and cashew pieces, if desired. 4 to 6 servings.
Double Dip says
I will have to try this. Chicken and chocolate.... what more could I ask for. Looks like a great holiday dish, too!
Louise says
The trace of sugar makes sense to me. Hershey's Chicken Mole Rub recipe includes a little. I make Douglas Rodriguez's Mole Rub and use it on grilled turkey and pork and I think the sugar rounds out the other spices.
Barbara says
I remember driving near the factory years ago...you could smell chocolate for miles!
Very interesting recipe...never would have thought to use cocoa with beef!
Caroline says
Sounds like an interesting combination! I haven't tried cocoa with anything other than a mole sauce, but it sounds like it's worth a try!
Debbi Does Dinner Healthy says
I love chocolate in savory dishes! Like a mole sauce or something. Nice!
Cheryl says
sounds very interesting! was it very sweet, or was it a good balance? can you compare the taste to anything?
Jess @ Bakericious says
stir fry beef with cocoa, 1st time hearing that but sound intersting!