Japanese Beef Bowl

Prep /Total time : 45 minutes               Serves 4

A simple weeknight dinner full of Japanese flavor. To slice beef thinly, wrap and place in freezer for 30 minutes before cutting.

2            cups short- or medium-grain rice
1            teaspoon salt
1/3         cup soy sauce
2            tablespoons sugar 
2            tablespoons sake
1            small onion, thinly sliced 
1            tablespoon oil 
1            pound beef sirloin, thinly sliced 
2            tablespoons chopped cilantro
                    **Pickled ginger slices (optional)**
 1.          In a 4-quart pan, bring 3 cups water to a boil. Add rice and salt. Cover and reduce heat to simmer, then cook until almost tender, 15 minutes. Turn off heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
2.          In a small pan, bring soy sauce, sugar, sake, and 3/4 cup water to a boil. Remove from heat and reserve.
3.          In a 10-inch frying pan over high heat, cook onion in oil until it begins to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Add beef and continue stirring for 2 minutes, then add 1/2 cup of soy-sake sauce and stir until beef is cooked, 2 minutes longer.
4.          Divide rice among 4 bowls. Top with beef, remaining sauce, and cilantro. Serve with ginger, if desired.