Today in American History…former First Lady Elizabeth “Betty” Ford was born on April 8, 1918 in Chicago, Illinois.

To celebrate Mrs. Ford’s birthday today, we are going to enjoy her personal recipe of Chinese Pepper Steak for dinner.

And for dessert (because there always has to be a dessert!) I made one of her and President Ford’s favorites: Blu’Nana Bread 😋

Betty Ford’s Chinese Pepper Steak

Ingredients

2 pounds flank steak (I used ribeye – just a personal favorite)

2 tablespoons shortening (I used unsalted butter)

3 green bell peppers, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces (I used tri-color bell peppers)

1 package onion soup mix

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1/2 cup sherry

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

Directions

Cut steak lengthwise into 1/2-inch strips and then into 1-inch pieces.

Melt the shortening in a skillet and fry the steak just long enough for it to change color.

Remove the steak and sauté the green peppers.

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a large pot.

Add onion soup mix and continue to boil for 10 minutes.

Stir in the meat and green pepper and simmer for 30 minutes.

Add the soy sauce, sherry, cornstarch (diluted in a little water), salt and pepper.

Cook until slightly thickened. Serve over steamed rice. Serves 4.