Chinese Five Spice Crusted Beef Food

CHINESE FIVE SPICE CRUSTED BEEF

Steps:

• 1. Mix the five-spice powder with the salt in a small bowl. Gently rub the beef all over with the mixture.
• 2. Cook the meat in a cast iron pan, under the broiler or on the grill to desired doneness.
• 3. Allow to rest 5 minutes. Slice thinly & serve.

CHINESE FIVE SPICE

Steps:

• In a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle, combine all ingredients (in batches if necessary); grind until mixture becomes a fine powder. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

FIVE-SPICE BEEF WITH BLACK BEAN SAUCE & BOK CHOI

Steps:

• Mix the sauce ingredients together in a small saucepan, then gently simmer until hot. Heat a griddle pan until very hot. Rub the five-spice all over the steak, then season with a little salt and pepper. Sear steak for 2-3 mins on each side until cooked to your liking, then leave to rest.
• Meanwhile, gently simmer or steam the bok or pak choi for 4-5 mins until wilted, but still crunchy. Toss the greens in a few tbsps of sauce and the sesame oil. Cut steak into thick slices. Serve on a plate with a small pot of sauce, the greens and some steamed rice.

FIVE-SPICE BEEF & SUGAR SNAP NOODLES

Steps:

• Heat a large non-stick frying pan or wok, then fry the beef for 10 mins until very well browned. Don't add any oil. Meanwhile, boil the noodles following pack instructions, then drain.
• Add the ginger, garlic, five-spice, chilli powder and mangetout to the browned mince, then fry for a few mins more until fragrant and the pods are bright green. Splash in the stock, add the noodles, then season with the soy sauce. Pile into bowls (use tongs, it's easier), sprinkling with the sesame oil and red chilli if using.

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.