Braised Beef with Green Beans

Braised Beef with Green Beans

Ingredients

• 350 beef strip loin
• 300 green beans (Jiadouwang variety)
• 4-5 garlic
• ½ star anise
• 2 dried chili peppers
• ½ scallion
• 3 light soy sauce
• ½ dark soy sauce
• 2 yellow soybean paste
• 1 MSG
• ½ salt
• ½ tbsp / 2 sugar / rock sugar

Instructions

1. Prepare all ingredients.
2. Slice the beef (sliced thin for quicker cooking); snap off both ends of the green beans and break into two pieces; cut the scallion into small segments and mince the garlic; boil a kettle of hot water.
3. Heat a wok with a light drizzle of oil and add the green beans.
4. Stir-fry for about 3 minutes until the beans turn a brighter green, then remove and set aside.
5. Heat oil in the wok, add the scallion and half the minced garlic, stir a few times, then add the star anise and dried chilies, toss briefly.
6. Add the beef slices and stir-fry over high heat for a few seconds (a hot wok prevents sticking).
7. Splash in 1 tbsp light soy sauce and stir a few times until the beef lightly changes color.
8. Pour in boiling water until it just barely covers the beef; add 2 tbsp light soy sauce, ½ tbsp dark soy sauce, and 2 tbsp yellow soybean paste. Bring to a boil over high heat (skim off any foam), cover, and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.
9. Taste the broth and adjust with ½ tsp salt if needed. Add the green beans back in and continue braising for 12–15 minutes. Add 1 tsp MSG and ½ tbsp sugar (or 2 small pieces of rock sugar).
10. Add the remaining minced garlic, toss everything evenly, and reduce the sauce over high heat.
11. Plate and serve.