Sweet and Sour Hawaiian Beef

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/3 cup cider vinegar
• 1 (8 ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained and reserve juice
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic (or to taste)
• 3 to 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 pounds boneless beef sirloin (cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces, or use a cut of beef of choice)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes (or to taste)
• Kosher or sea salt and pepper
• 3 cups baby carrots, cut in half
• 1 large onion, cut into about 1 inch pieces
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons cold water
• 1 large green bell pepper, seeded and chopped

Instructions

1. In a small bowl combine brown sugar, cider vinegar, reserved pineapple juice, soy sauce and garlic.
2. Add/stir in the brown sugar until completely dissolved; set aside.
3. Heat oil in a skillet.
4. Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper then brown in hot oil on all sides.
5. Place the browned meat in the slow cooker along with the red pepper flakes.
6. Add in carrots and onion to the slow cooker.
7. Pour the pineapple juice mixture over the veggies and beef.
8. Cover and cook on LOW setting for 7 to 9 hours or on HIGH setting for about 3 to 4 hours, or until the meat is tender.
9. Increase the heat to HIGH.
10. Dissolve the cornstarch and cold water in a small bowl.
11. Add in the cornstarch mixture, pineapple chunks and green pepper into the beef mixture in the slow cooker.
12. Continue to cook for about 30 minutes, or until the green pepper is crisply tender and the juices are thickened.
13. Serve with cooked rice.