October Goals: I cooked!

I cooked! Yay! However, I did make an easy beef and chopped broccoli stir-fry that was one of the first things I ever learned how to cook. Therefore, it took little (read: lazy) effort. I'm getting back at it though. The first days of October went without me cooking a single dish and I still was eating out or buying food from the cafe in my office building.

But I wasn't about to give up! I made food! 

With that said, I present to you my lunch:

As much as I like to take photos of my food , because Instagram says it's socially acceptable to do that (ha!), I don't eat as much as people would think. These two take-away containers may not look like much but they'll last me a good four days at the office. 

Easy Beef & Chopped Broccoli Stir Fry

• 1/2 pound sliced stir fry beef (Farmer's market or all-natural grocery) 
• 1 1/2 tsp canola or sesame oil     
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp corn starch, divided
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 4 cups broccoli florets, chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced 
• 2 tsp minced garlic   
• 2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 cup beef or chicken broth
• 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar (optional)

1. Combine salt, pepper, 1 Tbsp corn starch in a mixing bowl. Add beef, toss and coat.
2. Heat oil in wok and add beef. Cook until lightly browned and cooked to your preference (medium, well done, etc.)
3. Remove beef from wok and transfer to a bowl or plate.
4. In the same wok, add 1/2 cup of broth and stir to make sure nothing is sticking to the bottom on the wok. Add broccoli, cover the wok and cook broccoli until tender. With chopped broccoli, it should take no longer than a minute.
5. In a small mixing bowl or cup, mix soy sauce, and remaining corn starch and broth. Add the mixture into the wok and stir, thickening the sauce. Cook for 1 minute. Make sure to reduce heat and cook on low-medium, eventually simmering.
6. Return the beef into the wok, toss and coat with sauce.
7. Serve with rice!

I usually limit my rice consumption to about 1 1/2 cups a week. The rice you see in the photos is smashed and spread thin which is my own peculiar preference. But, if you feel like indulging you can eat this with as much rice as your little heart desires! :)

The meal was simple, small baby steps to what I should be doing. Here's to hoping I keep this up and make use of what's in my fridge!

I've got one goal down!

Monthly goals can be tracked here.

Check the progress on my October 2014 goals here.