Ground Beef and Broccoli is a classic and delicious dish that's easy to make and can be customized to suit your taste preferences. Here's a simple recipe to get you started:
**Ingredients:**
* 1 pound ground beef
* 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
* 1 onion, diced
* 3 cloves garlic, minced
* 4 cups broccoli florets
* 1 cup beef broth
* 1 tablespoon soy sauce
* 1 teaspoon grated ginger
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Optional: 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for thickening the sauce)
**Cooking Steps:**
1. Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks, until it's no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
2. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until the onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Add the broccoli florets to the skillet and cook until they're tender but still crisp, about 4-5 minutes.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth, soy sauce, and grated ginger. Pour the mixture over the ground beef and broccoli mixture in the skillet.
5. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to your liking. If using cornstarch, whisk it into the sauce and let it cook for an additional minute.
6. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve the Ground Beef and Broccoli hot, garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
**Tips and Variations:**
* To make the dish more flavorful, use a combination of beef broth and soy sauce. You can also add a splash of oyster sauce for added depth of flavor.
* If you prefer a spicier version, add some red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce.
* To make the dish more substantial, serve it over rice, noodles, or with some crusty bread.
* You can also add other vegetables to the dish, such as bell peppers, carrots, or mushrooms.
* For a Korean-inspired version, add some Gochujang (Korean chili paste) to the sauce for a spicy and sweet flavor.
* For a Chinese-inspired version, add some hoisin sauce and five-spice powder to the sauce for a sweet and savory flavor.
* To make the dish more budget-friendly, use ground turkey or pork instead of ground beef.
**Additional Ingredients for Variations:**
* Red bell pepper, diced
* Carrots, peeled and grated
* Mushrooms, sliced
* Snow peas, sliced
* Bok choy, chopped
* Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
* Hoisin sauce
* Five-spice powder
* Oyster sauce
* Soy sauce, dark
* Sesame oil
* Ginger, grated
**Cooking Techniques:**
* Use a large skillet to cook the ground beef and broccoli, as it allows for even cooking and prevents the mixture from becoming too dense.
* Cook the ground beef until it's no longer pink, as it will continue to cook a bit after it's removed from the heat.
* Don't overcook the broccoli, as it can become mushy and unappetizing. Cook it until it's tender but still crisp.
* Whisk the sauce ingredients together before adding them to the skillet, as it helps to combine the flavors evenly.
* Don't overcrowd the skillet, as it can cause the mixture to steam instead of brown. Cook in batches if necessary.
By following these steps and tips, you can create a delicious and flavorful Ground Beef and Broccoli dish that's sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. Enjoy!