Chinese Brisket and Turnip Stew
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Ingredients (13)
- 1 (4- to 5-pound) beef brisket, trimmed of excess fat and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 10 (1/4-inch-thick) slices fresh, unpeeled ginger
- 8 medium garlic cloves, smashed
- 1/4 cup chu hou paste
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups water, plus more for blanching the brisket
- 3 star anise pods
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
- 2 pounds turnips or daikon radish
- 1 bunch scallions
- Steamed white rice or cooked rice noodles, for serving
- Calories433
- Fat30.73g
- Saturated fat10.65g
- Trans fat0.04g
- Carbs15.94g
- Fiber3.51g
- Sugar7.79g
- Protein23.95g
- Cholesterol106.6mg
- Sodium513.5mg
- Nutritional Analysis per serving (6 servings) Powered by
This classic Chinese dish braises beef brisket with ginger, star anise, garlic, and chu hou, a paste made of soybeans. First you’ll blanch the meat so that it doesn’t cause the braising broth to become cloudy, then you’ll fry fragrant ginger and garlic together, add the meat, broth, and seasonings, and braise until the beef is tender. Daikon radish is the traditional vegetable used in this dish, but turnips work just as well. They’re added at the end so they don’t turn to mush. Serve this brothy stew over steamed rice or cooked rice noodles.
What to buy: Chu hou paste is a sauce made from soybeans, and often includes sesame and garlic. It has a slightly sweet, anise-y flavor. It can be found in the condiment and sauce aisle at Asian grocery stores.
Game plan: This stew can also be made in a slow cooker. Prepare the recipe through step 2, then transfer the mixture to a slow cooker. Cook on low until the meat is tender, about 6 hours. Add the turnips or daikon and continue to cook on low until tender, about 1 hour longer. Stir in the scallions just before serving.
This was featured as one of our recipes to Turn Boring Winter Produce into Inspired Dishes.
Instructions
- 1Fill a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven halfway with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the brisket pieces and return the water to a boil. Immediately drain the meat through a colander and rinse any scum off of it with cold water; set aside.
- 2Wash and dry the pot. Heat the oil in the pot over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the ginger and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and starting to brown, about 1 minute. Return the meat to the pot, add the chu hou paste, and stir to coat. Add the chicken broth, measured water, star anise, sugar, and measured salt and stir to combine.
- 3Bring the mixture to a boil. Cover with a tightfitting lid, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until the meat is tender, about 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
- 4Meanwhile, peel and cut the turnips or daikon into 1-1/2-inch cubes, place in a large bowl, and cover with a damp paper towel or plastic wrap. Trim and cut the scallions into 1-inch pieces, place in a small bowl, and cover with a damp paper towel or plastic wrap. Refrigerate the vegetables until the meat is tender.
- 5Add the turnips or daikon to the pot and stir to combine. Cover and simmer, stirring halfway through the cooking time, until tender, about 30 to 40 minutes.
- 6Remove the pot from the heat, stir in the scallions, and let sit uncovered for 5 minutes to allow the scallions to soften slightly. Remove and discard the star anise pods. Taste and season with salt as needed. Serve with steamed rice or rice noodles.