Braised Beef (Shanxi style)

1/2 g fennel seed

10 tsp. (50ml) soy sauce

3 1/2 oz (100ml) chicken or duck broth

4 tbsp cornstarch (corn flour), dissolved in

4 tbsp water

2 tsp. rice wine

3 oz (100g) scallions, chopped

1/4 tsp. fresh ginger, chopped

3 1/2 fl oz (100ml) sesame oil

1/4 tsp. MSG

1. Wash the beef and cut into thin slices. Mix with the soy sauce and scallions. Stir the cornstarch-water mixture and add.

2. Heat the sesame oil in a work add the fennel seeds. Heat to very hot or until the oil starts to smoke, and add the beef. Stir-fry until barely cooked. Add the stock, rice wine and MSGCover the wok, and boil rapidly for 1 minute. Add the ginger, stir and remove.