Stir-fried Beef and Snow Peas with Cashews

Over the years, I've tried a wide variety of dishes.  Some took too long to cook while others were ready in a matter of minutes.  There were a few that tasted utterly disgusting or were just too complicated.  Then there have been those that were pure pleasure to the palate.  My all-time favorites are those that delight and go from zero to plate effortlessly ...Stir-fried Beef and Snow Peas with Cashews

• 1 1/4 lb flank steak, cut into thin slices
• 2 Tblsp soy sauce
• 1/3 cup hoisin sauce (don't be scared of this ingredient, you'll make this again...soon!)
• 1/3 cup water
•  1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 Tblsp peanut or vegetable oil
• 1/2 lb snow peas, trimmed
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 Tblsp minced fresh ginger (don't be scared of this ingredient, it stores in the freezer, you'll make this again...soon!)
• 1/2 cup unsalted roasted cashews, chopped (optional, but absolutely optimal)

1.  Marinate steak in soy sauce in medium bowl, cover and refrigerate while prepping other ingredients.  Whisk hoisin sauce, water, and pepper flakes in small bowl.  2.  Heat 2 tsp oil in large non-stick skillet over high heat till oil begins to smoke.  Add half of steak, break up clumps but then don't stir for 1 minute.  Stir for 30 seconds then transfer to clean bowl.  Heat 2 tsp oil and repeat with remaining beef.  3.  Add 2 tsp oil to now empty pan, cook snow peas for 2 minutes, stirring once or twice.  Add garlic and ginger to center of pan, cook till fragrant, about 45 seconds.  Stir garlic mixture into snow peas and add beef.  Give hoisin mixture another whisk then pour into pan, cook till thickened, about 1 minute.  Add cashews.  Serve over rice.  Repeat as necessary.