Prep

Stick your topside beef into the freezer for 10-15 min or until it is cold and stiff.  This makes it easier to cut it into thin strips of uniform size.

Using a sharp knife, cut it into thin pieces no longer than 1 in / 2 cm long. Place beef in a bowl and add Shaoxing wine, soy sauce and a light sprinkling of salt and white pepper.  Toss together until everything is evenly coated, cover and let marinate for 20 min.

While the beef is marinating, prep everything else.  Wash the broccoli thoroughly and remove any leaves and discolored bits.  Break off florets and set aside.  If you are so inclined, you can use the remaining stalk.  Simply cut off the rough bottom base and peel with a vegetable peeler until smooth.  Cut at an angle into thin strips similar in size to the beef strips. If you are using kailan, simply cut a little bit off the bottom and slice the base diagonally into strips.  Chop loosely the flower heads and leaves.

Wash and peel ginger.  Cut thinly into pieces about 1 in / 2 cm big.

Peel garlic cloves from shells.  Remove the fibrous end and using the side of your knife, crush and flatten the garlic cloves as best as you can.  Garlic burns easily, so try to keep the pieces big as it prevents it from burning during high heat wok cooking.

In a small bowl, combine oyster sauce, black vinegar, soy sauce, water, cornstarch and honey together. Whisk until smooth and set aside.

Cooking

Add one egg to the marinated beef and mix together until thoroughly combined and evenly coated.

Add potato starch or cornstarch to a medium mixing bowl.  Dredge beef pieces in cornstarch and set on a plate or bowl.

In a large wok, add 1/4 cup -1/2 cup of frying oil (use your best judgment for how much oil you will need to evenly fry the beef as this all depends on the size and shape of your wok).

Warm oil over high heat in the wok.   You’ll know when it is less viscous and giving off just a little bit of smoke. To test if it is read, add a bit of stray batter to the oil.  When it actively sizzles, it is ready to go.

Add beef to hot oil.  If it is sticking together, try to break it up with chopsticks.  Cook for about 3-5 minutes or until crispy and golden.  These little bits of topside don’t need a lot of time cooking so don’t think you need a lot of time frying it.  Afterall, wok cooking is FAST cooking.

With a slotted spoon or spatula, remove beef and set aside nearby on a plate lined with paper towels to soak up excess oil.

Pour off oil from the wok until only 1-2 tbsp remain.  Over high heat, add sliced ginger and crushed garlic.  Stir fry for a minute or so then add broccoli or kailan.

Stir fry the broccoli or kailan in the wok for a minute or so with the ginger and garlic.  Then add cover and let cook for 2-3 minutes.  Just before covering, you can add a splash of water to the wok to let it steam together.  Just be careful not to add too much otherwise you’ll have a watery stir-fry.  No more than an ounce.

When vegetables are tender (and nothing is watery), add crispy beef. Stir-fry together for a minute or two.  Whisk sauce once more then add to stir-fry.  Mix together until everything is evenly coated then turn off the heat.

Serve with steamed rice or some homemade chow mein (another Chinese-American classic).