Aromatic and Spicy Beef Stew (Thit Bo Kho)
- Ready In:
- 2hrs 20mins
- Ingredients:
- 12
- Serves:
-
6
ingredients
- 3 1⁄2 lbs stewing beef
- 2 onions
- 5 garlic cloves
- 12 shallots or 12 pickling onions
- 1 stick lemongrass
- 7 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 6 tablespoons yellow bean sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 4 star anise
- 1⁄2 stick cinnamon
- 1⁄2 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 2 tablespoons sugar
directions
- Cut the beef into 1in cubes and set aside.
- Peel and finely chop the onions and garlic. Peel the shallots, but leave whole.
- Cut the lemon grass into 1in sections, from the bottom to about 1in from the top; cut off and discard the straw like top. Crush each section lightly with a mallet or other heavy object.
- Heat 3 tablespoons of the oil in a non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat.
- Add the onions, garlic and shallots, and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Add the lemon grass and continue to fry, stirring, until the onions are lightly browned. Turn off the heat.
- Take the shallots out of the pan and set aside.
- Heat the remaining 4 tablespoons oil in a large, wide, preferably non-stick pan over a high heat. When hot, quickly fry the meat cubes in batches, turning to brown them all over. Remove with a slotted spoon. Brown all the meat in this way.
- Return all the meat to the large pan. Add 4 cups water and the garlic mixture. Coarsely chop the beans in the yellow bean sauce (if not already crushed) and add them too.
- Also put in the chili powder, star anise, cinnamon, peppercorns and sugar. Bring to the boil, then cover, lower the heat and simmer gently for 1¼ hours.
- Add the reserved shallots, cover again, and simmer for a further 15 minutes.
- Remove the lid, increase the heat to medium and cook for a further 15 minutes or until the sauce has thickened a little and the meat is tender. Skim the fat off the top of the stew before serving.
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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
English_Rose
United Kingdom
I live in Manchester, UK with my fiance and young son. I work at the local hospital in pediatrics and love my job. I also love cooking!! I have a sweet tooth but try and make healthy family meals, I'm not against some lovely treats now and then though :)