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Photograph of the finished Beef Braised with Cinnamon

Vietnam · Thịt bò kho quế

Beef Braised with Cinnamon

2 hr 40 min Hands-on time + 30 min soaking or marinating first
MediumDifficulty
6 stepsSteps

Method

  1. 1 Blanch the beef shank for 4 minutes, then rinse it to ensure the broth is clear.
  2. 2 Roast the cinnamon sticks and star anise in a dry pan for 40 seconds until fragrant.
  3. 3 Pan-fry the beef chunks, then caramelize the rock sugar until it turns a golden brown color.
  4. 4 Pour in soy sauce and enough water to cover the ingredients, then simmer over the lowest heat for 80 minutes with cinnamon and star anise.
  5. 5 Use cinnamon sticks, not cinnamon powder, as cinnamon powder makes the broth cloudy and bitter.
  6. 6 Simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, then remove the cinnamon and star anise, and sprinkle with chili and green onions.

With an appliance

  • Pressure cooker 1 hr 20 min

    Replace step 4: maintain high pressure for 32 minutes, then release the pressure naturally, then open the lid and simmer for 10 minutes until the liquid evaporates.