Hoisin Beef Bowls
 Hoisin beef bowls are loved by adventurous and picky eaters alike! With customizable toppings, everyone gets to build their own bowl, making it a fun and tasty dinner. Ingredients 2 pounds 90% lean ground beef ¾ teaspoon baking soda 6 tablespoons hoisin sauce, best quality such as Lee Kum Kee or Kikkoman (use gluten-free if needed) 3 tablespoons soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed) 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1 teaspoon sugar ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 4 cloves garlic, chopped 2 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger (see note) 5 scallions, sliced, light and dark green parts separated 2 pounds 90% lean ground beef ¾ teaspoon baking soda 6 tablespoons hoisin sauce, best quality such as Lee Kum Kee or Kikkoman (use gluten-free if needed) 3 tablespoons soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed) 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1 teaspoon sugar ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 4 cloves garlic, chopped 2 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger (see note) 5 scallions, sliced, light and dark green parts separated For Serving Rice Chopped cashews Sesame seeds Shredded veggies, such as carrots, lettuce or bell peppers Rice Chopped cashews Sesame seeds Shredded veggies, such as carrots, lettuce or bell peppers Instructions In a large bowl, using your hands, mash the beef with the baking soda. Let it sit on the counter for 20-25 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, tomato paste, sesame oil, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Set aside. Once the beef is "treated" and ready to cook, heat the vegetable oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Brown the beef, stirring frequently and breaking into pieces, until just slightly pink, about 5 minutes. (I don't drain the fat - there's not that much and it adds flavor.) Add the garlic, ginger, and light scallions. Cook, stirring frequently, until softened, a few minutes. Add the reserved hoisin sauce mixture and cook until the beef is well-coated and cooked through, about a minute. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Gently stir in the remaining scallions and spoon the beef into bowls over rice. Top with sesame seeds, chopped cashews, and shredded veggies, if you like. Note: To get this dish done in 30 minutes, chop the garlic, ginger, and scallions while the meat is being treated with baking soda. Note: Check out easy guidance on how to peel, grate, and chop fresh ginger here. Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The meat mixture can be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. In a large bowl, using your hands, mash the beef with the baking soda. Let it sit on the counter for 20-25 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, tomato paste, sesame oil, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Set aside. Once the beef is "treated" and ready to cook, heat the vegetable oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Brown the beef, stirring frequently and breaking into pieces, until just slightly pink, about 5 minutes. (I don't drain the fat - there's not that much and it adds flavor.) Add the garlic, ginger, and light scallions. Cook, stirring frequently, until softened, a few minutes. Add the reserved hoisin sauce mixture and cook until the beef is well-coated and cooked through, about a minute. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Gently stir in the remaining scallions and spoon the beef into bowls over rice. Top with sesame seeds, chopped cashews, and shredded veggies, if you like. Note: To get this dish done in 30 minutes, chop the garlic, ginger, and scallions while the meat is being treated with baking soda. Note: Check out easy guidance on how to peel, grate, and chop fresh ginger here. Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The meat mixture can be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. Nutrition Information Powered by Per serving (6 servings) Calories: 347 Fat: 19 g Saturated fat: 6 g Carbohydrates: 11 g Sugar: 6 g Fiber: 1 g Protein: 32 g Sodium: 979 mg Cholesterol: 99 mg Per serving (6 servings) Calories: 347 Fat: 19 g Saturated fat: 6 g Carbohydrates: 11 g Sugar: 6 g Fiber: 1 g Protein: 32 g Sodium: 979 mg Cholesterol: 99 mg Gluten-Free Adaptable Note To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.