Red-cooked beef with gravy noodles

2 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
½poundsBoned chuck roast
tablespoonCooking oil
1tablespoonPeanut oil
1Scallions, coarsely chopped
1Cloves garlic, minced
teaspoonFresh ginger, minced
2largesStalks Napa cabbage, leaves removed, cut in 2\" squares
¼poundsFresh egg noodles
RED-COOKING LIQUID:
½teaspoonSichuan peppercorns
2cupsWater
¼cupBlack soy sauce
1tablespoonChinjiang vinegar
1Scallions
sliceGinger
GRAVY INGREDIENTS:
cupChicken stock
1tablespoonMedium sherry
½teaspoonGround bean sauce
¼teaspoonSugar
Cornstarch paste

Directions

A fatty cut of beef gives this dish more beef flavor, which is the point of the dish; rich, mellow, gently seasoned. RED-COOKING MEAT: In medium hot wok, toast peppercorns until fragrant (avoid burning); crush & finely mince with cleaver; reserve. Cut beef into 1½" chunks. Heat cooking oil in hot wok until it starts to smoke; brown beef in several batches; drain oil & discard. Combine peppercorns & remaining ingredients of red-cooking liquid; add to wok. Bring to boil; reduce heat & simmer, covered, for 1 ½ to 2 hours, until meat is very tender. (If liquid evaporates before meat is tender, add cup of water or stock and continue cooking.) Remove meat from liquid. If desired, cool meat, cover and refrigerate. BOILING NOODLES: Bring 4 qts. water to rolling boil; add noodles. Drain when still slightly undercooked. STIR-FRYING: Heat peanut oil in hot wok. When oil starts to smoke, add scallions & stir-fry until fragrant. Add garlic, ginger & Napa cabbage; stir-fry for about 1 minute, until cabbage is slightly wilted. Add meat & all gravy ingredients except cornstarch paste. Reduce heat to medium, cover, & simmer for about 3 minutes.

Remove cover; dribble in enough cornstarch paste to make a light gravy; not too heavy as you want to coat noodles, but not too soupy either. Turn up heat; when sauce returns to boil, add noodles. Toss to mix (& reheat) noodles. Transfer to warmed serving platter or large bowl. Submitted By TERRI WOLTMON On 04-03-95