Szechwan Rice Crumb Beef

Here is a Szechwanese wolf in sheep’s clothing—a dish of chili-marinated beef slices steamed in a coating of toasted rice. It is easy and impressive, ideal for the occasional cook, the busy one, or someone new to Chinese cooking.

• For do-ahead flexibility, one could not ask for more. The beef may be marinated days in advance, then steamed, refrigerated, and resteamed before serving. Extending the process only tenderizes the beef. Moreover, the food processor wil