Braised Beef With Radish or Turnips

Beef is slowly braised in a rich liquid flavored with soy sauce and other seasonings in this recipe from Eastern China.This is a basic recipe for Braised Beef - feel free to add a few whole cloves of star anise or other seasonings if you have them, or to substitute 1 cup of the water with beef broth if desired.

• Ready In: 1 hr 30 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 2  lbs beef
• 1  lb daikon radishes or 1  lb  regular radishes or 1  lb turnip
• 1⁄3 cup dark soy sauce
• 1⁄4 cup  chinese rice wine or 1⁄4 cup dry sherry
• 1  green onion, thinly sliced
• 1  tablespoon  vegetable oil or 1  tablespoon  peanut oil
• 3  slices fresh ginger
• 2  garlic cloves, minced
• 2  cups water
• 1  tablespoon brown sugar
•  salt (optional)
•  pepper (optional)

Directions

1. Cut the beef into cubes about 1 – 1 1/2 inch thick. Peel the radish or turnips and cut into cubes about the same size. (If using regular radishes, peel and thinly slice).
2. Combine the dark soy sauce, rice wine or sherry and green onion in a small bowl. Set aside.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large pot on medium heat. Add the ginger and garlic and then the beef. Cook for 4 – 5 minutes to brown the beef, turning it over at least once.
4. Stir in the soy sauce mixture and allow to cook for a minute. Add the water and bring to a boil. (Add the pepper at this time if using). Turn down the heat, cover, and simmer for 1 hour (in simmering the temperature is just below the boiling point).
5. Add the radish and stir in the sugar. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 more minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning, add more pepper and/or salt if desired.