Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the vegetable broth, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, black pepper, and sesame oil. Stir well to dissolve the sugar and set aside.
Make the Slurry: In another bowl, combine the cornstarch with water, stirring until the cornstarch is fully dissolved. This will help thicken the sauce later in the stir-fry.
Blanch the Broccoli: Heat a saucepan of water with salt until it reaches a rolling boil. Add the broccoli florets and blanch them for about 1-2 minutes, just until they turn bright green. Drain and set aside. This step helps to soften the broccoli slightly while keeping its vibrant color and crunch.
Heat the Oil: In a spacious wok or frying pan, warm the peanut oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the dried Chinese chili peppers and stir-fry them for 30 seconds to release their heat and flavor.
Sauté Aromatics: Add the minced garlic and ginger to the wok, stirring constantly to avoid burning, for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Cook the Mushrooms: Toss in the sliced mushrooms and stir-fry them for about 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften and release their moisture.
Stir-Fry the Broccoli: Add the blanched broccoli florets to the wok and stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes, mixing them well with the mushrooms and aromatics.
Add the Sauce and Slurry: Pour the prepared sauce over the vegetables, stirring to coat everything evenly. Give the cornstarch slurry a quick stir and pour it into the wok. Stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the vegetables nicely.
Finish with Green Onions: Add the sliced green onions to the stir-fry and toss everything together. Cook for another minute until the green onions soften slightly and everything is well combined.
Serve: Remove from heat and serve the stir-fry hot over steamed rice or noodles. Enjoy the delicious combination of flavors and textures in every bite!