Vietnamese Beef Stew using a Crockpot

Beef stew is a very popular dish of the Vietnamese people. Beef stew is often served with bread or the low income families eat this dish with rice or noodles. It is not hard to cook beef stew, but, if using a crockpot, this dish is much easier for housewives to prepare. Spices for this stew are also easily available and usually available in the kitchen of the people who often cook Asian food. Sweet potatoes are usually added to this dish, or, just simply, carrots, depending on the taste of each family. Using a crockpot will save  precious time in today's modern society. I hope this beef stew will be eaten as a regular breakfast in each family.

Ingredients:

2 lbs. beef chuck, cubed

½ lb. potato, peeled and cubed

3 carrots, peeled and cubed

1 cup chopped white onion

2 lemongrass stalks, bruised

Few sliced fresh ginger

Marinade ingredients:

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/8 tsp ground cloves

1/4 tsp ground star anise

1/2 tsp 5 spice

1/4 tsp paprika

2 shallots, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tbs fish sauce

1 tbs sugar

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 tsp salt

Other ingredients:

12 oz. coconut water

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 tbsp oil
1 tbsp tomato paste

Equipment: 6-quart crockpot

Directions:

Combine all the marinade ingredients and add beef. Mix well and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight. Remove beef and reserve the marinade

Remove the beef and sprinkle flour to coat the meat.

In a large wok, add and heat oil until hot. Brown the beef; remove the beef, and place on the bottom of the crockpot.

 In the same pan stir-fry onions until fragrant. Add tomato paste and reserved marinade stir to cook.

 Add coconut water and bring to boil.

Pour tomato-coconut water into the beef. Top with lemongrass and sliced ginger. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.

Two hours before the beef is tender. Add carrots, and a half hour later, add potatoes.

 Close the lid and continue to cook until carrots, potatoes, and beef are tender. Discard the lemongrass and sprinkle with basil or cilantro.Serve with baguette or rice