Bo Kho

Ingredients

• 500g/1lb 56.7g shin of beef, cut into medium-sized cubes
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 stem lemongrass, peeled, bashed and finely chopped
• 3 tbsp finely chopped garlic
• 1 tbsp minced ginger
• 1 red chilli, finely diced
• ½ tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp caster sugar
• 2 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
• ½ tsp Chinese five-spice powder
• 1 tsp curry powder
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 star anise
• 2 stems lemongrass, bashed
• 3 shallots, finely chopped
• 400ml/14fl oz coconut water
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 carrot, peeled and cut into 2cm chunks diagonally
• 1 potato, peeled and cut into 2cm chunks
• 1 baguette
• ½ onion, thinly sliced
• small handful coriander leaves

1. 1To marinate the beef, put the beef in a non-reactive, large bowl and add all the other marinade ingredients. Mix well and ensure that the beef is covered in the marinade. Cover and transfer to the fridge overnight for best results, alternatively leave at room temperature for 20 minutes.
2. 2Heat 1 tbsp of vegetable oil in a large saucepan with a lid and add the cinnamon stick, star anise, and lemongrass. Infuse for 1 minute and then remove from the heat. Carefully remove the whole spices from the pan and set aside.
3. 3Heat the pan with the infused oil over a medium-high heat and fry the marinated beef until brown all over. Remove the beef from the pan and set aside.
4. 4Add the shallots and garlic to the pan and fry until softened, then add the beef back to the pan.
5. 5Pour in the coconut water, add the bay leaves and the reserved whole spices from the infused oil. Bring to a boil and simmer, covered for 1½ hours.
6. 6Remove the lid and let the stew simmer for 15 minutes to thicken, adding a few splashes of water if it needs it.
7. 7Heat the remaining 1 tbsp of vegetable oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and fry the carrot and potato for 5 minutes.
8. 8Add the fried carrot and potato to the stew and cook for 15 more minutes, until the vegetables are soft.
9. 9Serve in bowls topped with the sliced onion and coriander, with freshly sliced baguette on the side.