Recipe: Beef Stew with Star Anise and Basil (Thit Bo Kho)

Recipe Source: Basan, Ghillie.  The Complete Vietnamese Cookbook.  Anness Publishing, London, 2007 p. 148

I have a horrible confession to make.  I've historically been uninterested in regular TV series.  It requires too much of an investment of time and energy - trying to get everything done before the show comes on, watching it religiously so that I know what's happening from one episode to the next.  I just can't do it, especially since the television has one purpose from April - October and that is Baseball.  However, since my energy levels have decreased significantly due to the presence of the Fearless Fetus, I've been finding myself watching a lot more television than is good for me.  Specifically, I've been watching crime dramas.  In order of preference, we like Criminal Minds, NCIS, CSI, and CSI: New York.  I think that part of what attracts us to these shows is the fact that while there are regular characters and some running sub plots, we don't have to watch them in order or have even watched the show ever before to be able to follow that day's episode.  Well, that and the fact that they're in syndication, so we can see them whenever we happen to be home at the right time instead of planning to be home for the latest installment.  While I do enjoy these shows, I will be very happy to have my energy levels back so that I don't feel compelled to watch them quite so often.

What does any of this have to do with food?  Well, this year, two different cable channels were showing Criminal Mindsmarathons on New Year's Day.  We were going to be able to watch 13 straight hours of our favorite TV show (non-sports related, that is.)  The weather was supposed to be atrocious and nothing around here is open on New Year's Day anyway.  We decided that we were going to get the year off to a mellow start by overdosing on our favorite show.  In planning our meal, I needed something that didn't require a lot of fussing on my part and that could be started well in advance.  In light of the expected foul weather, I thought a stew would be nice.  Therefore, despite the fact that this dish is usually a breakfast dish (according to the author, anyway) I decided it would be our New Year's feast. 

There was only one significant change that I really made.  I know that I bought red chilies, but I could not find them when I needed them.  I used a handful of dried red chilies instead.  This seems to have worked fine in the dish, although I can't speak to its authenticity. 

Beef Stew with Star Anise and Basil (serves 4; approx. $2.62/serving)

1 lb stew beef

1 tablespoon turmeric

2 tablespoons hot pepper sesame oil

3 shallots, chopped

8 garlic cloves, crushed

1 handful dried red chilies

2 lemongrass stalks, chopped

1 tablespoon curry powder

4 star anise, roasted and ground to a fine powder

3 cups boiling water

3 tablespoons fish sauce

1 tablespoon raw sugar

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 bunch fresh basil, leaves only

A handful of chopped fresh cilantro, to garnish

Equipment:

• Dutch oven or other appropriate stew pot

1. Toss the beef and the turmeric together.  Set aside.
2. Heat the stew pot with the oil. 
3. Add the shallots, garlic, chilies and lemon grass.  Saute until fragrant.
4. Add the curry powder, star anise, and beef. 
5. Brown the beef. 
6. Add the water, fish sauce, soy sauce and sugar.  Bring to a boil.
7. Reduce heat and cook gently 40 minutes, or until the meat is tender. 
8. Season to taste with kosher salt and black pepper.
9. Add the basil and stir well.
10. Transfer to the serving vessel and sprinkle the cilantro on top.
11. Serve.

Comments

[Joanne]

I WISH I had more time to watch tv. I am behind on all of my favorite shows! thank god for the internet.

This dish sounds delicious. I would not ahve though to pair anise and basil together but definitely need to try it.

[Rotisserie Chicken Recipe]

This looks absolutely delicious…I`m bookmarking this already.

[Fearless Kitchen]

Rotisserie - Thank you!

Joanne - I definitely enjoyed the combination. And we're getting better about the whole TV thing, which can only be to the good :)