1 ⅔ cup cornstarch seasoned with ½ tsp. salt and ½ tsp. pepper
1 thumb size piece of fresh ginger
2 Thai chilies
¼ cup cilantro leaves and stems
½ tbsp. dark soy sauce
3 tbsp. ketchup
6 tbsp. Chinkiang black rice vinegar
4 tbsp. honey
Instructions
Spray the whole garlic cloves with oil and pop into the air fryer. Select Roast and set the time to 20 minutes and temperature to 320°F / 160°C.
Soak the dried chilies in a bowl of water whilst the garlic roasts. When the garlic finishes, remove from the air frying drawer and set aside. Drain the chilies and place inside. Select Roast again, for 3 minutes at 320°F / 160°C.
Cut the meat into thin strips roughly 1/8-inch wide and place in a mixing bowl. Add the light soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and egg, and using your hands, massage the pieces until they are evenly coated. Then add the seasoned cornstarch and massage into the meat. The meat will first stick together in clumps, but as you continue adding cornstarch, each piece of meat will start to separate completely. Once all the meat has separated and the pieces are dry and dusty white, they are ready to be air-fried.
Finely dice the ginger, garlic and Thai chilies and finely chop the cilantro.
Mix the dark soy sauce, ketchup, Chinkiang rice vinegar, and honey together in a small bowl to make the sauce.
Build your "Wok Clock;" place your meat bowl at 12 o’clock, then arrange the garlic, chili, sauce bowl and cilantro clockwise around your plate.
Spray the air fryer basket and the beef with a little oil. Select Air Fry and set the temperature to 400°F / 205°C and the time to 4 minutes. This is your ‘first fry.’When the cooking program finishes, open the drawer and spray the beef again.
Put the drawer back in and select Air Fry and set the temperature to 400°F / 205°C and the time to 5 minutes. This is your ‘second fry.’
In a separate wok, heat ½ tablespoon vegetable oil over a high heat until smoking hot.
Add the ginger, garlic and chili, lower the heat to medium and stir-fry for 30 seconds until slightly crispy and fragrant.
Pour over the sauce mixture and bring to a vigorous boil, then add the crispy meat and give the wok two or three tosses to mix everything together.
Spoon into a serving bowl and scatter over the cilantro to finish. Serve immediately.
Notes
Tip: Popping your sirloin steak in the freezer 30 minutes before slicing will harden the meat and make it much easier to cut into even-size pieces.