Asian Beef Teriyaki: 30 Minutes

We all love our occasional visits to the hibachi grill

with a big group and a bigger appetite. We wait all day and eat as little as possible so we can make it through each appetizer and still be able to touch our meal.

I love those places but I never love how I feel once I'm finished and stuffed. That's because over half of those restaurants use artificial food additive fillers (MSG) commonly labeled as a "flavor enhancer."

Here is an easy way to cook a delicious asian meal at home without all the extra stuffing. You can easily substitute organic ingredients, lower sodium sauces, and no butter at all to reduce fat and calories.

All you will need:

• 1 pound of boneless meat
  (beef sirloin steak, chicken, pork, shrimp, or for a leaner, healthier meal - deer steak tenders)
• 1 pound of mixed vegetables
  (Suggestions: broccoli, carrots, zucchini, chopped asparagus, sprouts, baby corn, water chestnuts,  snow peas, shitake mushrooms, onions and/or red peppers)
• 1 cup of rice
  (white rice, jasmine rice, or for a healthier meal - brown rice)
• 1-2 tablespoons o vegetable oil
• Teriyaki - Low Sodium or
• Soy Sauce -Low Sodium/No MSG
  ***IF YOU LIKE the white, shrimp, "yum-yum" sauce served at most japanese steakhouse restaurants, you first need to know it must be made the night before so it can refrigerate overnight. Second, it is mayonnaise based and Hellmann's mayonnaise is the best brand to use. Trying to use a low fat mayo or another brand is fine, but just know it changes the outcome significantly. For this particular home recipe you will need:
• 1 & 1/4 cup Hellmann's mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup of water
• 1 teaspoon of tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon of melted butter
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon of paprika
  (Mix them altogether)
  White Sauce Recipe

OKAY LET'S GET STARTED!!!

1. Get your vegetables cooking in a pot of boiling water for about 10-15 minutes before you get started on the rest of the meal. That way they will be finished when you want to add them to the meat and sauce.
2. Then go ahead and get your rice started in a pot of 1 & ½ cups of boiling water. Stir in the cup of rice after the water is at a full boil and then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes. Stir occasionally so rice doesn’t stick to the bottom and burn. (Add salt if you like, but the teriyaki or soy sauce will have plenty of sodium for taste.)
3. In a medium, preferably a full-sized skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced beef and stir-fry until meat is browned. When you use a full-sized skillet, it will be easier to add everything for the mixture in one dish.
4. After your veggies are cooked, your meat is browned and your rice isn’t mush – add them in the skillet with the meat. Top it off with teriyaki sauce to your taste and mix it altogether. (Low-sodium soy sauce can be a great alternative.)

I’ve made this dish too many times to count and it’s definitely a crowd pleaser. The white, shrimp sauce is a great addition on the side but totally fine without. This meal only takes about 20-30 minutes max and the fortune cookies are sold separately. J

From my kitchen to yours, Enjoy!