Braised Beef Brisket with Potatoes is a hearty, soul – warming dish deeply loved across China. The slow – cooked beef becomes incredibly tender, while the potatoes soak up the rich, savory sauce. This dish is perfect for family gatherings, offering a delicious and satisfying meal. Here’s a step – by – step guide to creating this classic dish in your own kitchen.
Ingredients
For the Beef
- 500g beef brisket, with its marbling, it stays tender and flavorful during long – cooking.
For the Potatoes
- 3 medium – sized potatoes, peeled. Potatoes bring a creamy texture and absorb the sauce’s flavor.
For the Aromatics and Seasonings
- 3 – 4 slices of ginger
- 3 cloves of garlic, smashed
- 2 scallions, cut into sections
- 2 star anises
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tablespoon of fennel seeds
- 2 tablespoons of light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of dark soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of cooking wine
- 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of white pepper
- Some water
Step – by – Step Cooking Process
Preparing the Beef
- Cut the beef brisket into 3 – 4 cm cubes. Place the cubes in a large pot filled with cold water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Skim off the foam and impurities that rise to the surface as the water boils. This step helps remove blood and unwanted flavors. Let it boil for 2 – 3 minutes, then drain the beef cubes and rinse them under cold water. Set aside.
Preparing the Potatoes
- Cut the peeled potatoes into similar – sized cubes, approximately 3 – 4 cm. To prevent the potatoes from turning brown, place them in a bowl of cold water until ready to use.
Starting the Braising Process
- Heat 2 – 3 tablespoons of oil in a heavy – bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium – high heat. Add the ginger slices, smashed garlic cloves, and scallion sections. Stir – fry until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the star anises, cinnamon stick, and fennel seeds to the pot. Continue to stir – fry for 30 seconds to release their flavors.
- Add the blanched beef cubes to the pot. Stir – fry for 2 – 3 minutes until the beef is lightly browned on all sides.
Adding Seasonings and Water
- Pour in 2 tablespoons of light soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of dark soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of cooking wine, 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of white pepper. Stir well to coat the beef cubes evenly with the seasonings.
- Add enough water to cover the beef cubes by about 2 – 3 cm. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 1.5 – 2 hours. Check the tenderness of the beef periodically. The beef should be fork – tender.
Adding Potatoes
- After the beef has cooked for 1.5 – 2 hours, drain the potatoes and add them to the pot. Stir gently to combine. Make sure the potatoes are submerged in the sauce.
- Continue to simmer for another 30 – 40 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft and have absorbed the flavor of the sauce.
Serving
- Transfer the Braised Beef Brisket with Potatoes to a serving dish. Garnish with some fresh scallions. This dish pairs perfectly with steamed rice, allowing you to soak up the delicious sauce.
