Pepper Steak

This is one of the very first things I ever learned to cook (I was in college - yes, I was a late bloomer in the kitchen).  After too many evenings of busy schedules and fast food, I HAD to cook tonight and this was my solution!

1 lg sirloin steak (have the butcher slice it into thin strips)
2 lg bell peppers - sliced (all green or mix 1 green, 1 red)
2 medium tomatoes - chopped
sliced water chestnuts
2 cups lite soy sauce
2 bags of instant white rice
chow mein noodles to garnish

Having the butcher slice the steak makes everything SO much easier and faster!  Add the soy sauce to a large skillet set on high (just until the temp comes up).  Slice peppers - add to hot soy sauce for 3-4 minutes (cover skillet to speed up cooking time.  Place the boil in bag rice in a microwave appropriate dish and set to cook for 10 minutes (may need a couple more if you have a low watt microwave).  Add steak and water chestnuts to the pepper mixture, cover and reduce to medium heat. 

When the rice is finished, your steak will be about medium well. Add chopped tomatoes to the steak mix, cover and reduce heat to low.  Allow steak to cook for 5 minutes (don't let the tomatoes get all mushy).  Drain rice and you're done!

Serve pepper steak over a bed of  steamed rice, top with crunchy chow mein noodles.  I came into the house at 4:45 and we sat down to diner at 5:15.   Not bad for a Thursday and I only had two pans to clean up!

You can vary this to include your favorite veggies.  Some like to add sliced onion or bean sprouts.  If you like those - go for it.  I just like keeping it simple and the taste is always amazing.  Hope you like it too!