Momma's Version of Beef and Broccoli

Andrea Wooten

Every once in a while, my family likes to dine out at our local Chinese restaurant, and we always order the same dish: beef and broccoli. One day my mom took it upon herself to create her own version of beef and broccoli. My mom didn't exactly go to the restaurant and do the research on how beef and broccoli is actually made. Instead, she put her own spin on the Chinese style dish by adding her own ingredients. Adding flavors like brown sugar and Lipton's Onion Soup mix contributes to the creative taste. The special sauce my mom makes is also a trick to get my little sister to eat her broccoli.

Momma's version of beef and broccoli has been a family favorite for almost three years. There are rarely any leftovers. My family enjoys this dish a lot because of its exotic taste combined with Momma's touch. Usually this dish is served with white rice just as they do at the restaurant. What's a Chinese inspired dish without soy sauce? Regardless of the faintly sweet taste of brown sugar, soy sauce is poured on top to add that extra kick.

This dish is limited to just my immediate family. It was never intended to be shared with my extended family; it's just a little something my mom put together because she didn't feel like ordering Chinese one night. My mom is the only person who can successfully prepare this dish. My sister and I attempted to prepare it, but we couldn't quite get our onion soup mix to cooperate. So, we decided to stick to eating rather than cooking. Whenever my mom comes home from a long day's work, beef and broccoli is the dish of her choice because it is quick and easy to make and sure to keep the family satisfied (at least till the next day).