Lunch: Orange-Flavored Beef and Snow Pea Stir-Fry with Noodles

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons soy sauce
3/4 cup beef broth
1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest
1/2 teaspoon sugar
6 ounces Asian egg noodles or thin spaghetti
1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3/4 pound boneless sirloin, cut into 1/4-inch strips
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon minced peeled fresh gingerroot
6 ounces snow peas, trimmed and cut length-wise into 1/4-inch strips

Instructions

In a bowl dissolve cornstarch in soy sauce and stir in broth, zest and sugar.
In a kettle of salted boiling water cook noodles until tender and drain well.
While noodles are cooking, in a heavy skillet measuring about 10 inches across top heat 1 tablespoon of oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking. Stir-fry beef, patted dry and seasoned with salt and pepper, until browned, about 45 seconds, and transfer to bowl. Add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil to skillet and stir-fry garlic, gingerroot, and snow peas 30 seconds. Stir cornstarch mixture and add to snow peas, stirring. Simmer mixture until thickened and stir in beef with any juices accumulated in bowl and salt and pepper to taste. In a large bowl toss beef mixture with noodles.