Thai Basil Beef

Instructions

1. Prepare the sauce
   In a small bowl, mix together the oyster sauce, fish sauce, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and brown sugar until well combined. Set aside.
2. Cook the aromatics
   Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add minced garlic and chopped chilies, stir-frying quickly for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
3. Brown the beef
   Add the ground beef or sliced beef to the wok, breaking it up with a spatula if using ground beef. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the beef is no longer pink and starts to brown.
4. Add vegetables
   Add the sliced onions and bell peppers to the wok. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until they begin to soften but still maintain some crunch.
5. Add sauce and basil
   Pour the prepared sauce mixture over the beef and vegetables, stirring to coat everything evenly. Cook for another minute, then add the Thai basil leaves, stirring just until the basil starts to wilt, about 30 seconds. Remove from heat immediately to preserve the basil's flavor.
6. Prepare fried eggs (optional)
   If serving with fried eggs, heat a tablespoon of oil in a separate pan. Crack eggs into the pan and fry until the whites are set but yolks are still runny, about 2-3 minutes.
7. Serve
   Serve the Thai basil beef hot over steamed jasmine rice. If using, place a fried egg on top of each serving. For authentic Thai style, accompany with sliced cucumber and a wedge of lime.