In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ribeye cubes, oyster sauce, soy sauce, minced garlic, garlic oil, sugar, and a splash of lime juice. Mix all the ingredients until the beef is well-coated. Let this mixture marinate for at least one hour to soak in all those fantastic flavors. If you have time, marinating overnight in the fridge enhances the richness.

While the beef is marinating, wash, chop, and prepare all your vegetables. This step is crucial for a smooth cooking process later. Don’t rush; prep now avoids chaos later!

After marinating, transfer the beef to another plate. This will help drain excess liquid and allow the beef to reach room temperature while you prepare the rest of the dish. Sprinkle the cornstarch over the beef cubes and toss gently to coat each piece thoroughly.

Heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add a drizzle of vegetable oil, swirling it around the pan. In batches (it’s better not to overcrowd the pan), place the beef cubes in the pan and let them sear without moving them for about 1-2 minutes. Then give them a gentle shake or turn to sear the other sides, cooking them for about 3-4 minutes total so that they are nicely browned but still medium-rare. Remove the beef from the pan and set aside.

In the same pan, add a bit more oil if necessary, then toss in the onions and bell peppers. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes until they are slightly softened but still maintaining their crunch. Stir in the green onions last, just to heat them through for another minute.

Add the seared beef back into the pan with the vegetables and toss everything together over medium-low heat for about 2 minutes. Taste and season with a bit of Maggi or salt as desired.

Cooking the Tomato Rice

Prepare the rice as you typically do. If you’ve got a rice cooker, it’s your best friend here! Using long-grain rice is a must for that fluffiness that soaks up all the flavors nicely.

In a separate pan, heat 1 tbsp of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant but not browned. Stir to prevent burning—no one wants burnt garlic! Increase the heat slightly and add your cooked rice, stirring well to mix.

Next, stir in the tomato paste. Make sure to incorporate it evenly throughout the rice, transforming it into a lovely, inviting color. Drizzle a few splashes of fish sauce and taste to adjust seasoning, keeping in mind that the beef will bring more saltiness.