Asian-Style Beef Stew

Ingredients :

• 2 lb. beef, cut into cubes
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 large red onion, thickly sliced
• 3 tbsp. tomato paste
• 1 cup red wine
• 2 cups beef stock
• 2 bay leaf, crushed
• 1 tsp. strips of orange zest
• 1 star anise
• 1 tsp. Szechuan peppercorns
• 1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
• 1 tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary
• 3 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro

Cooking Procedures :

1. Heat 1 tbsp. oil in a large pan over medium-high heat, cook beef, in batches, for 3 minutes or until browned. Remove and set aside.
2. In the same pan, heat the remaining oil; sauté garlic and onions, for 4 minutes or until translucent and fragrant.
3. Stir in tomato paste; cook for 2 minutes. Add in red wine and cook for another 2 minutes.
4. Return beef and accumulated juices to pan; add beef stock, bay leaf, orange zest, star anise, peppercorns, thyme and rosemary. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low, simmer, covered, for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until meat is tender. Remove bay leaf and orange zest; stir in 2-1/2 tbsp. cilantro. Transfer to a serving platter.
5. Garnish remaining cilantro; serve with rice.
6. Serves 4.