Vietnamese Beef Stew - Bo kho

• 500g beef brisket
• 4 star anise
• 1 tsp five spice
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 5 tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
• 1 ⅔ tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 large carrots
• 3 potatoes
• 1 litre chicken stock
• 1 small baguette

The paste

• 2 lemongrass stalks
• 1 red chilli
• 3 cm ginger
• 5 thai shallots
• 4 garlic cloves

1. Place the paste ingredients in a pestle and mortar to make a smooth paste.

2. Heat the vegetable oil in a saucepan over a medium heat, fry the paste for 2-3 minutes, until fragrant

3. Add the beef to the saucepan and seared the meat for 8 - 10 minutes until browned. Stir in the cinnamon, five spice and star anise. Add the tomato, fish sauce, sugar, salt and cover with the chicken stock.

4. Simmer for 1 ½ hours until the beef is tender. Add carrots and potatoes and cook for 20 more minutes.

5. Serve with a piece of baguette

Enjoy!