Beef Stir Fry

This isn't really a recipe, but more of an "idea".  You know the "idea"?  The one that doesn't seem to come to you when you are most tired, hungry, and at the end of your workweek and weekly grocery supplies?  Yep, that idea!  So when you are having one of those days, this "idea" is quick, easy, and healthy for your Whole30 and paleo style diet.  

There is a little bit of planning, and that part is having your steak on hand and stocked up in your freezer.  Actually, for so many recipies you will save time by having all of the proteins you love on hand!  Plan ahead and save a little money by purchasing your steak in the "family pack", or larger quantities for a better price.  My favorite for stocking up is COSTCO, of course :-), you can't shop there without stocking up right?  When you purchase the package of steak, New York Strip for example, there are 4-6 steaks.  Now you have your dinner for the evening you've gone shopping, then with the extra steak, tightly wrap each one individually in saran wrap and place in a gallon ziploc bag, or Foodsaver if you have one of those and want to get real fancy!  Ta-da, there's one dinner and now a couple extra meals ready to go, you just need the "idea" right?  Time is precious, and this little bit of planning ahead will save you that time on a day that you need it most. 

The vegetables for your stir-fry include whatever you have on hand!  Simple right?  This photo includes broccoli, red pepper, and red onion, things I almost always have available, some other good additions would be mushrooms, carrot, and zucchini.

Another benefit of a simple stir fry is the many options of what to serve it over!  How about a serving of quinoa if you include some healthy grains in your diet?  If you haven't tried cauli-rice yet, it could be a good time to experiment with this tasty option, or, have you ever tried a stir-fry on top of a bed of roasted sweet potatoes?  It's wonderful!  And don't forget that  nothing is an option too -  if you are watching your carbs and calories, just savor in a bowl full of the meat and vegetables - you won't even miss the grain!  

INGREDIENTS -
Steak - sliced thin for stir frying, seasoned with salt and pepper
Vegetables - sliced and chopped to your preference
             Broccoli, red pepper, red onion, etc.
1 Tbl. coconut aminos (soy sauce replacement)
1/2 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp toasted sesame seeds for topping

Slice up your vegetables and set aside, then slice up the meat.  If you are serving the stir fry over quinoa or something similar, start that preparation. 

Place a couple of tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil in your fry pan and heat to medium high.  Add the vegetables in the order of how long they need to cook, for example, onions first, and in this case red pepper and broccoli next.  Stir in the meat, which will take just a couple of minutes to reach medium rare.  Sprinkle on the coconut aminos and sesame oil while stirring the meat in.  Continue to season with a little more salt and pepper, if desired, or any of your other favorite seasonings.   If you are adding any softer vegetables such as zucchini, include those in the last couple minutes of cooking.

So there's your "idea" for the week!  It takes just a little time to think ahead through your upcoming schedule, have your meat and a few vegetables on hand, and meal planning can be made easy.  This makes great leftovers too, cook up a little extra, fill up a couple of containers, and you have a lunches on hand.  I hope you are encouraged that when you hit one of those days, you are ready to push through it with ideas!  Enjoy!