Main Dishes

Garlic Ginger Beef Stir-fry, Lychee Martini, and A Flicker in the Dark

November 12, 2025
editor
For a delightful evening, savor the rich flavors of the Garlic Ginger Beef Stir-Fry with Stacy Willingham's suspenseful novel, "A Flicker in the Dark." The tension and mystery within the book pair wonderfully with the bold, aromatic dish, creating an engaging sensory experience. Complement your meal with a Lychee Martini, whose subtle sweetness and floral notes enhance the ginger and soy aromas of the stir-fry, making it a perfect match to this intriguing literary adventure.
Garlic Ginger Beef Stir-fry

Ingredients

  • 1 pound flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • 1 carrot, julienned
  • 3 green onions, sliced
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Sesame seeds and additional green onions for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Instructions:

  • In a medium bowl, combine the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, and cornstarch.
  • Add the sliced beef and toss to coat. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes.

Prepare the Sauce:

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Set aside.

Cook the Beef:

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
  • Add the marinated beef and stir-fry until browned and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.

Cook the Vegetables:

  • In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and ginger, and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Add the bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots. Stir-fry for about 4-5 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.

Combine Beef and Vegetables:

  • Return the cooked beef to the skillet with the vegetables.
  • Pour the prepared sauce over the beef and vegetables.
  • Toss everything together and cook for another 2-3 minutes until heated through and well-coated with the sauce.

Serve:

  • Transfer the stir-fry to a serving dish.
  • Garnish with sesame seeds and additional sliced green onions if desired.
  • Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.

A Flicker in the Dark

A Flicker in the Dark

An engaging psychological thriller exploring the depths of memory and the past, as Stacy Willingham delivers a suspenseful tale that will captivate its reader's attention from the first page to the last.
A New York Times Bestseller “A smart, edge-of-your-seat story with plot twists you’ll never see coming. Stacy Willingham’s debut will keep you turning pages long past your bedtime.” —Karin Slaughter When Chloe Davis was twelve, six teenage girls went missing in her small Louisiana town. By the end of the summer, her own father had confessed to the crimes and was put away for life, leaving Chloe and the rest of her family to grapple with the truth and try to move forward while dealing with the aftermath. Now twenty years later, Chloe is a psychologist in Baton Rouge and getting ready for her wedding. While she finally has a fragile grasp on the happiness she’s worked so hard to achieve, she sometimes feels as out of control of her own life as the troubled teens who are her patients. So when a local teenage girl goes missing, and then another, that terrifying summer comes crashing back. Is she paranoid, seeing parallels from her past that aren't actually there, or for the second time in her life, is Chloe about to unmask a killer? From debut author Stacy Willingham comes a masterfully done, lyrical thriller, certain to be the launch of an amazing career. A Flicker in the Dark is eerily compelling to the very last page.

Discussion Questions

  • How does the author create suspense throughout the book, and what are some of the most effective techniques she uses?
  • Discuss how memory and perception play roles in the unfolding events of the story.
  • What are the main themes that emerge in "A Flicker in the Dark"?
  • How does the setting contribute to the overall atmosphere of the book?
  • In what ways do the primary characters develop through the course of the novel?
  • Which plot twists were the most surprising, and how did they change your perception of the story?
  • Explore the significance of the title: 'A Flicker in the Dark.' What does it represent in the context of the plot?
  • What role does family dynamics play in the narrative?
  • How does the protagonist's journey reflect the themes of healing and confronting the past?
  • What are your thoughts on the ending, and how did it tie together the various elements of the narrative?
Authors: Stacy Willingham
ISBN: 9781250803825
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Published Date: 2022-01-11

Lychee Martini

Lychee Martini
This sophisticated and refreshing cocktail blends the sweet and floral flavors of lychee with the crispness of vodka, creating a perfect companion to the savory Garlic Ginger Beef Stir-Fry.

Ingredients

  • 1 oz lychee liqueur
  • 2 oz vodka
  • 1 oz lychee juice
  • Ice
  • Lychee fruits for garnish

Instructions

  • Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
  • Add the lychee liqueur, vodka, and lychee juice to the shaker.
  • Shake well until the ingredients are thoroughly chilled.
  • Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass.
  • Garnish with a lychee fruit and serve immediately.