Beef and Basil Rice Bowl
Hello hello lovely readers! I haven’t had the opportunity to share a new recipe with you all since early December, and as some of you may know it’s because I welcomed baby Lady into the world on December 26th! I’m excited to begin sharing recipes with you all again after taking some much-needed time with LL to rest, recover, and get used to this new way of living!
One of the first recipes I want to share is one that I’ve gone back to many times over the past two months. It’s a Beef Rice Bowl that I’ve slightly adapted from a Basil & Beef Strip Congee recipe in The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother. This book has been one of my absolute favorites during postpartum life, you can read a brief description below. I highly recommend it!
The book includes 60 simple recipes for healing soups, replenishing meals and snacks, and calming and lactation-boosting teas, all formulated to support the unique needs of the new mother. In addition to the recipes, this warm and encouraging guide offers advice on arranging a system of help during the postpartum period, navigating relationship challenges, and honoring the significance of pregnancy and birth.
Beef and basil rice bowl served in ceramic bowls and a KD Weave napkin.
Here’s a rundown of the lovely vendors you can source from to create this recipe if live in the Houston area! You can find these vendors at my farmers markets as well!
4C Market sells high quality, pasture raised meats, eggs and dairy products. Richer soils, greener pastures, and healthier, happier livestock is what it is all about! Everyday the 4C Market team are educating themselves and implementing sustainable farming methods in order to heal the land.
Erbe Ranch is a family owned farm located in Cat Spring, Texas raising grass-fed beef, pastured poultry and pastured pork. The property has been in Farmer Brian’s family for over one hundred thirty five years.
Regen Ranch is a woman owned and run ranch in Oakwood, Texas. With the goal of providing clean food, Christine sells grass fed beef & lamb, pasture raised turkey, and farm fresh eggs.
Synergos Farms is a thriving healthy farm community, synergistically growing food, allowing all things to grow naturally. Located in Santa Fe, Texas, Synergos focuses on regenerative practices that support healthy soil, plants, and animals.
Wood Duck is an 87 acre farm, located in Cleveland, Texas. They have a thriving CSA program and have been providing healthy produce to the community for years. Wood Duck is actually in the process of fighting a proposed landfill in San Jacinto County, visit this website to learn more about how you can help!
Animal Farm is a working, sustainable permaculture center located 65 miles west of Houston. They are dedicated to producing high quality certified organic vegetables and flowers. They sell at our markets, but also have a wonderful CSA program!
Verde Greens located in Houston, Texas, uses a combination of hydroponic and no-till soil cultivation methods to produce healthy, nutritious, pesticide- and herbicide-free leafy greens, herbs, and mixed vegetables for the community.
Sweetwater Farms HTX is a family-owned, urban farm located in Houston, Texas. They are 7 minutes from the loop in the middle of a food desert. It sits on 6 acres of land and is primarily used to teach inner city youth about agriculture through its partnership with TWEF. We grow some of the freshest seasonal veggies! Farm visits are reservation are only!
Ingredients for the beef and basil rice bowl, including beef, onion, garlic, sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice, and lime.
Ingredients
3 Tbsp sesame oil
1 clove garlic (minced)
Half a yellow onion (thinly sliced)
Pinch of sea salt or kosher salt
1 fresh chili pepper (remove seeds and mince) - Choose whatever a variety of pepper gets you to your desired spice level and as much or as little as you like. I ended up using a half of a green serrano pepper.
1 Tbsp granulated cane or coconut sugar
1/2 cup soy sauce or liquid aminos
1 lb beef cut of your choice (I used flap beef), cut into thin strips at your desired length
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1 lime
Method
In a medium pot, cook a cup of your chosen rice by grain specifications. I used a short grain white rice, so used 1 cup of rinsed rice and 1 1/2 cups water and a dash of olive oil. Bring the rice to a boil, then lower to a simmer and cover the pot. Let cook until the water is no longer visible, then turn off the heat and keep covered until you are ready to serve the dish.
Once the rice is cooking you can begin working on the beef. Heat the sesame oil in a medium pan of medium-high heat. When the oil is warm, and the onion, garlic, salt, and chili pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes (until the onions are soft) stirring frequently so that garlic doesn’t burn.
Once the onions are soft, add the sugar and soy sauce to the pan, mixing to combine.
Place your beef strips into the pan, and brown on both sides over medium heat. This should take about a minute on either side. Use a pair of tongs to rotate the strips.
Add the basil leaves and let everything simmer over low heat for another 5 minutes, uncovered. Once done cooking, remove the pan from heat and add a few squeezes of lime juice.
Serve the beef over a healthy bowl of rice, and don’t forget to get a few spoonfuls of the soy sauce mixture! Tear fresh basil leaves over the top and add another squeeze of lime, to
Thank you for following along and supporting local!
xxCB