Slow Cooker Beef Ala' Orange

In my quest to try and drop fat and sodium from my favorite dishes at my favorite Asian restaurant, I believe I have come up with a recipe for Orange Beef that tastes even better than the Orange Beef I crave at my favorite take out place. A huge bonus on top of this, is that it takes only ten minutes to bring it together in the slow cooker and all you have to do at that point is wait until it's done, 4 hours on high, 8 hours on low. Go to work or get your errands done while it's cooking. No mess which is so typical with a wok ... no high heat oil smell in your home either ... this is just a win-win situation all the way around, plus the flavor is fantastic!

Ingredients

• FOR THE MEAT PREPARATION:
• 2 pounds flank steak sliced thin against the grain and on the bias or 2 pounds of stew meat or 2 pounds of round steak thinly sliced against the grain
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
• THE REST OF THE INGREDIENTS:
• 1 jar orange marmalade jam
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1/4 cup cooking oil
• 1 large white onion peeled and rough chopped
• 1 red bell pepper washed seeded and rough chopped
• 1 orange bell pepper washed seeded and rough chopped
• 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil (optional)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder (I use garlic herb)
• 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• FOR GARNISH:
• 3/4 cup scallions (green table onion) sliced at an angle
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro (optional I love it)
• 
  

Directions

• Spray slow cooker with non stick spray. Cut up the beef and transfer into slow cooker. Sprinkle cornstarch all over the beef and toss to coat evenly. (yes, use the whole amount)
• Add all the other ingredients in order given and give just a light stir. Put cover on and let it do the work. Four hours on HIGH ... or ... 8 hours on LOW. At the end of cooking time, stir all ingredients in slow cooker to make sure it thickens well.
• Serve with rice and steamed broccoli on the side. Garnish with green onions or cilantro. Sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds on top of orange beef if desired.
• Serve with rice and steamed broccoli on the side.
• If you are serving this on a platter, add some very thin orange slices. Yield: serves 6
  
  Notes: This is a wonder dish ... wait until you see how it transforms into luscious goodness!