CHINESE BEEF OR PORK STEW (RED COOKED MEAT)

Steps:

• *Staranise comes in the form of an eight point star.
• ,each point having an anise seed in it.
• Most of them are broken up so use a total of eight points, more or less, to taste.
• **Theorange (or tangerine) peel has a slightly bitter taste that I like better with beef but this is personal taste.
• It comes in plastic bags and has a long shelf life.
• Start by browning the meat in a few T of oil.
• Do it in batches so it gets well caramelized.
• When the last of the meat is well browned, remove it all to a bowl.
• (Add more oil as needed).
• Add the onion, garlic, ginger, anise, orange peel and chiles to the wok (or pot); keep cooking, stirring frequently, until the onion starts to brown.
• Stir in the meat along with the sauce, bring it to a full boil, stir well and reduce heat to simmer.
• Cover the pot and simmer for 1 hour (pork) or 2 hours (beef).
• Adjust seasonings, add the vegetables and simmer, covered for another half hour.
• Before serving, remove all the pieces of ginger, star anise, orange peel, chile, etc.
• Serve with steamed rice or boiled noodles.