Anise Beef Food

ANISE BEEF

Steps:

• Trim as much fat as possible from the beef.
• If using a nonstick pan, no oil is necessary. Otherwise, heat oil in skillet. Add beef to hot pan and brown on all sides.
• Reduce heat to low and add soy sauce, 3 tablespoons water, sherry, star anise and five-spice powder. Cover and gently simmer meat until it is tender, about two hours, cooking for one hour on one side, and turning to cook after the first hour on the second side. Depending on the amount of fat, it will take 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours to cook.
• When meat is tender, remove from pan and cool. Add the remaining 1 cup water to the pan, and heat the juices to serve over meat.
• Serve meat at room temperature or chilled.

BEEF STEW WITH STAR ANISE

Steps:

• Pour the stock into a large, heavy pan. Add the beef, garlic, chopped coriander roots, cinnamon sticks, star anise, soy sauce, fish sauce and sugar. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Skim off any form that rises to the surface of the liquid with a slotted spoon.
• Meanwhile, divide the bean sprouts among four individual serving bowls. Remove and discard the cinnamon sticks and star anise from the stew with a slotted spoon.
• Ladle the stew over the bean sprouts, garnish with the chopped scallions and chopped fresh coriander (cilantro) and serve immediately.

VIETNAMESE BEEF SOUP WITH STAR ANISE

Steps:

• Combine broth, beef bones, 3 green onions and star anise in heavy large pot. Bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer gently 3 hours. Remove beef bones and green onions from broth; discard. Season broth with salt and pepper.
• Soak rice stick noodles in bowl filled with enough hot water to cover noodles for 3 minutes. Drain. Using scissors, cut noodles into 4-inch lengths. Slice remaining 5 green onions and place on platter. Arrange cilantro leaves, mint leaves and sliced chili on same platter.
• Bring broth to boil. Add noodles; cook until tender, about 2 minutes. Add steak; simmer 1 minute. Ladle soup into bowls. Pass condiments separately.

CHINESE-STYLE BRAISED BEEF ONE-POT

Steps:

• Heat 2 tbsp of the oil in a large, shallow casserole. Fry the garlic, ginger, onions and chilli for 3 mins until soft and fragrant. Tip onto a plate. Toss the beef in the flour, add 1 tbsp more oil to the pan, then brown the meat in batches, adding the final tbsp oil if you need to. It should take about 5 mins to brown each batch properly.
• Add the five-spice and star anise (if using) to the pan, tip in the gingery mix, then fry for 1 min until the spices are fragrant. Add the sugar, then the beef and stir until combined. Keep the heat high, then splash in the wine or sherry, scraping up any meaty bits. Heat oven to 150C/fan 130C/gas 2.
• Pour in the soy and stock (it won't cover the meat completely), bring to a simmer, then tightly cover, transfer to the oven and cook for 1½-2 hrs, stirring the meat halfway through. The meat should be very soft, and any sinewy bits should have melted away. Season with more soy. This can now be chilled and frozen for up to 1 month.
• Nestle the cooked bok choi into the pan, then bring to the table with the basmati rice straight away and tuck in.

BEEF STEWED WITH TOMATO, STAR ANISE, AND LEMONGRASS

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine the beef, lemongrass, fish sauce, five-spice powder, ginger, brown sugar, and bay leaf. Mix well with chopsticks to coat the beef evenly. Set aside to marinate for 30 minutes.
• In a heavy-bottomed 5-quart Dutch oven, heat the oil over high heat until hot but not smoking. Working in batches, add the beef and sear on all sides, then transfer to a plate. Each batch should take about 3 minutes. Reserve the lemongrass and bay leaf from the marinade and discard the rest.
• Lower the heat to medium-low, add the onion, and cook gently, stirring, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until fragrant and soft. Add the tomato and salt and stir to combine. Cover and cook for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the mixture is fragrant and has reduced to a rough paste. Check occasionally to make sure the tomato mixture is not sticking to the bottom of the pan. If it is, stir well and splash in some water.
• When the paste has formed, add the beef, lemongrass, bay leaf, and star anise, give the contents of the pot a bit stir, and cook, uncovered, for another 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and penetrate the beef. Add the water, bring to a boil, cover, lower the heat to a simmer, and cook for 1 1/4 hours, or until the beef is chewy-tender (a sign that it is close to being done). To test for doneness, press on a piece; it should yield but still feel firm.
• Add the carrots and return the stew to a simmer, adjusting the heat if needed. Cook, uncovered, for about 30 minutes, or until the carrots and beef are tender. (This stew may be made up to 2 days in advance. Let cool, cover, and refrigerate, then bring to a simmer before continuing.)
• Just before serving, do a final taste test. Add salt or a shot of fish sauce to intensify the overall flavor. Or, splash in a bit of water to lighten the sauce. Transfer the stew to a serving dish, removing and discarding the lemongrass, bay leaf, and star anise. Garnish with the Vietnamese coriander and serve.
• How to Seed Tomatoes
• Holding each tomato half over a bowl or the sink, squeeze gently to release the seeds and gelatinous insides. For reluctant seeds, use a finger to loosen them. Then, with a swift shaking motion of the wrist, empty out the seeds.

CHINESE STYLE BEEF IN A STAR ANISE AND SOY MARINADE

Steps:

• Place all of the marinade ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Add the steak and mix to cover with the marinade. Leave to marinade for an hour.
• Heat the oil in a hot wok. Add the beef and the marinade and fry for 3-4 minutes until the meat is browned. Drain off any excess liquid from the beef that may arise from the cooking process.
• Add any vegetables you might wish to create a stir fry.

NEXT LEVEL BEEF BOURGUIGNON

Steps:

• A day or two ahead, cut the meat into large 5cm chunks. Put in a glass bowl with the garlic, star anise, thyme, bay and plenty of seasoning. Mix everything together well.
• Pour the wine into a large saucepan (keep the lid to hand and turn off any extractor fans). Bring to a boil, then, at arms-length, ignite with a long match. Wait for the flames to burn off (there will be quite a few), then boil for 5 mins more. If you don't feel comfortable setting the flames alight, just boil the wine. Pour the wine over the meat, then cover and cool slightly before chilling overnight or for up to 36 hrs.
• Lift the beef out of the marinade and dry on kitchen paper. Heat half the oil in a large casserole. Working in batches, brown the beef for 10 mins, adding more oil if needed (watch out - this will splutter). Once browned, transfer the beef chunks to a plate.
• Heat oven to 150C/130C fan/gas 3. Add a touch more oil to the dish, then tip in the veg and gently brown for 10 mins. Use a wooden spatula to scrape any sticky bits off the bottom. Scatter over the flour and cook for 2 mins, then stir in the tomato purée. Add the meat and any juices from the plate back in, then pour over the marinade with all the aromatics. Bring everything to a simmer and give it a good stir, then cover and place in the oven for 3½-4 hrs, stirring every hour or so until the meat is very tender. You now have a delicious rustic stew that can be served as is, but keep going to take it to the next level.
• Leave the stew to cool, then carefully tip into a sieve or colander set over a bowl. Lift the meat and carrots back into the casserole, then squish everything else in the sieve so that you extract the juices and some of the garlic gets squished through. Simmer this sauce in a pan for 10 mins or until thickened to your liking, then pour over the meat.
• While the meat is braising, heat the rest of the oil in a frying pan. Fry the bacon and onions for 15 mins until the bacon is crisp and the onions have softened and browned. Turn the heat up, add the mushrooms and fry until cooked. Tip the contents of the frying pan into the casserole, stir and simmer for a few mins. Scatter over the parsley, then bring the dish to the table and serve with the carb of your choice.