Lightning stir-fry

Serves 4

Even if your Asian takeaway is right next door and they have their stir-fry ingredients sitting next to the wok ready to rock, you'll be able to put this on the table faster than they can. Indeed, speed is everything here. And heat. If you don't have a good wok and a good gas burner, forget it. Go next door.

Even if your Asian takeaway is right next door and they have their stir-fry ingredients sitting next to the wok ready to rock, you'll be able to put this on the table faster than they can. Indeed, speed is everything here. And heat. If you don't have a good wok and a good gas burner, forget it. Go next door.

750g thick rump steak
2 red chillies, deseeded and very finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, pasted
1 tablespoon olive oil
90g bean sprouts
¹/ ₂ bunch of coriander, leaves coarsely ripped up
¹/ ₂ bunch of basil, leaves only
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon light soy sauce, plus extra to serve

Slice the rump across the length into strips, and then slice those strips into strips. The longer you can make the strips of beef, the better looking the dish. Put them in a bowl, add the chillies and garlic and toss it all around.

Now, wok. Turn the gas up high. Get the wok hot. Add the oil and then immediately add the rump, in batches. Stir, toss and flip like your life depends on it. When the meat takes some brown colour and its interior is still pink, remove from the wok, then repeat with the next batch.

Whatever you do, don't poach the beef in its own juices - stir-fries need to be fried in a hot dry wok, not steamed in a wet one or the beef will go grey and chewy. When the last batch of meat is cooked, return all the meat to the wok and add everything else. Stir, toss, flip. Serve with soy sauce and jasmine rice.

TIP: To paste a garlic clove, put the peeled clove on a chopping board and flatten it with the flat side of a knife. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt, then, using the flat side of the knife, work the salt into the garlic to form a pulp, or paste. Alternatively, do this using a pestle and mortar.