This is a traditional slow-braised or ‘red-cooked’ dish. Use a good cut of stewing beef, such as chuck steak, or pork. The beef is braised in a flavoured soy broth and tea bags! Freeze the leftover sauce and use it as the base for noodle soups.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Szechuan peppercorns
- 12 star anise
- 4 large cinnamon sticks
- 4cm piece fresh ginger, sliced
- 200ml light soy sauce
- 4 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 3 whole large dried chillies
- 150g rock sugar or soft brown sugar
- 2kg good organic stewing beef, cut into 6-8cm chunks
- 2 Lapsang Souchong tea bags
- 300g kai lan (Chinese broccoli from selected Sainsbury’s and oriental stores) or tenderstem broccoli
Method
- 1. Bring 2 litres water to the boil in a pan. Add all the ingredients, except the tea bags and kai lan or broccoli. Cook, covered, on a low heat for 2 hours, checking occasionally.
- 2. About 20 minutes before the beef is ready, add the tea bags and continue to cook. About 8 minutes before serving, add the kai lan or broccoli and cook until tender.
- 3. Remove the tea bags from the broth. Spoon the meat and kai lan into bowls and pour over some of the sauce. Serve with the roast sweet potatoes and carrots, and extra steamed kai lan or broccoli.
Nutritional info
Per serving: 831kcals, 26.4g fat (10.2g saturated), 113.2g protein, 40.8g carbs, 37.3g sugar, 2.2g salt
Chef's tip
Use a good cut of stewing beef, such as chuck steak, or pork. Freeze the leftover sauce and use it as the base for noodle soups.
Wine Recommendation
Pick a top Californian Pinot Noir for a treat, or a Chilean Pinot for excellent value.