Make Your Own (Fancy) Take-Out: Beef with Candied Walnuts and Garlic

For the garlic confit, place garlic in a small saucepot and just cover with oil, about 1 cup. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat and cook 30 minutes to very soft and very light tan in color. Strain and store separately.

For the candied walnuts, toast nuts in 375˚F preheated oven on parchment- or silicone-lined baking sheet for 5 to 7 minutes. Meanwhile, melt sugar over moderate heat to caramel in color.  Drizzle the melted caramel sugar over nuts with a fork to coat and separate, then season with coarse or flaky salt and black pepper to taste. Cool. 

For the beef, heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Pat meat dry and season, add oil, 2 turns of the pan, and brown meat and leeks then remove to platter. Add more oil, another turn of the pan, and reduce heat a bit to medium. Cook the onions to soften but do not brown.  After about 2 to 3 minutes, add a half-cup water to speed the process along, and let it absorb fully. Add ginger and stir, add Shaoxing or sherry, soy sauce, Worcestershire and stock. Stir in slurry, add about half of the reserved garlic confit and thicken sauce 1 minute, then add beef and top with about 1 cup of the cooled candied walnuts. 

Serve beef with rice and top with chives or scallions.