Lemongrass Beef Stew

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 lb beef chuck eye (cubed)
• 3 lemongrass stalks (finely minced, cut into thirds, and crushed)
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 2 tbsp Red Boat Fish Sauce
• 1 tsp paprika
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• dash of ground cloves
• 2 whole cloves (toasted)
• 4 star anise (toasted)
• 1 large onion (1/2 sliced, 1/2 uncut)
• 113g shiitake mushrooms (sliced)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 cups beef broth (plus more as needed)
• 1 3/4 - 2 cups coconut water (plus more as needed)
• 2 medium carrots (cut in chunks)
• 3-inch knob of ginger (sliced in half, toasted)
• 2 large russet potatoes (cubed)
• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• salt (to taste)
• 2 tbsp butter

1. 1In a bowl, mix together beef chuck, 3 stalks of lemongrass (finely minced), garlic, paprika, Red Boat Fish Sauce, brown sugar, and a dash of ground cloves. Let marinate for 30 minutes.
2. 2On a baking sheet, add ginger, onion half, cloves, and star anise. Broil on high, carefully watching the cloves and star anise. Remove the cloves and star anise immediately once they’re toasted and fragrant. Continue broiling the ginger and onion until charred and toasted.
3. 3In a large pot, sear beef chuck on all sides. Remove beef chuck and set aside.
4. 4In the same pot, add mushrooms and sauté until softened. Add oil as needed, onions, and salt to taste. Sauté until softened. Add tomato paste and sauté until lightly brown.
5. 5Add the seared beef chuck back into the pot along with the toasted spices, ginger, onion, lemongrass (cut into thirds), beef broth, and coconut water. Bring to a boil and simmer uncovered for 1 hour or until beef chuck is tender. Season with 1-2 teaspoons of Red Boat Fish Sauce.
6. 6Remove spices, lemongrass, onion, and ginger from the pot and discard. Add in the carrots and more coconut water if needed. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until carrots are tender.
7. 7To make the mashed potatoes, bring a pot of water, potatoes, garlic cloves, and crushed lemongrass to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and continue simmering until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, about 15 minutes.
8. 8Discard garlic cloves and lemongrass and drain potatoes. Add the potatoes back into the pot and use a ricer or potato masher to mash the potatoes. Mix in butter, warm coconut milk, and salt to taste. Enjoy mashed potatoes topped with lemongrass beef stew.