Szechuan (sichuan) beef stew

4 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
4Spring onions; trimmed and
1Fresh ginger (1\" piece) after slicing thin
3Pieces orange peel
2teaspoonsGarlic; finely chopped
½cupLight soy sauce
cupRice wine or dry sherry
1tablespoonHot bean paste
2poundsFlank steak; halved
By hitting it
3Star anise
¼cupSoftened lard or frying oil
1tablespoonChinese brown peppercorns
2tablespoonsDark soy sauce
2tablespoonsSweet bean paste
2teaspoonsSugar

Directions

SEASONING

Cut the meat into 5 cm (2 inch) cubes and place in a deep pot with the spring onions, ginger, star anise, and the orange peel. Cover with water and bring to a boil, skim and then simmer for 2 hours, tightly cover- ed over low heat. Heat the lard and fry the seasoning ingredients for 1 minute, then pour into the pot and recover. Simmer 1 hour more or until meat is very ten- der. Transfer meat to a serving dish and thicken the sauce with a paste of corn flour and cold water. Pour over the meat after discarding the onion, ginger, star anise and orange peel.