Spicy Beef and Carrot Stew (Bo Kho Ca Rot)

• 14 cup fish sauce
• 14 teaspoon five-spice powder (available at oriental stores)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 4 lbs beef stew meat (1 inch thick pieces) or 4 lbs beef short ribs (1 inch thick pieces)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 yellow sweet onion, peeled and sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, peeled and lightly crushed
• 3 ounces fresh ginger, cut into 3 slices and lightly crushed
• 2 cups beef stock (or 2 c water with 1 beef bouillon)
• 2 stalks lemongrass, use the white part only
• 2 star anise
• 1 cinnamon stick, about 2 inches long
• 3 dried chilies or 3 Thai red chili peppers
• 1 teaspoon annatto seeds or 1 teaspoon ground annatto seed
• 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced diagonally 1/4 inch thick

1. Combine the fish sauce, 5 spice powder, and sugar in a dish.
2. Add the meat, coating well and marinate, refrigerate for 4 hours.
3. Heat together the oil, onions, garlic, and ginger in a heavy bottomed pot over medium-low heat.
4. Cook ingredients, stirring often, until fragrant and golden about 10 minutes.
5. Add the marinated meat into the pot.
6. Add the stock and cover the pot.
7. Bring to a boil over med.
8. heat.
9. Add the lemongrass, star anise, cinnamon stick, chilies, and annato seeds/powder and simmer over medium low heat for 2 hours Add carrots and continue braising until the meat is tender.
10. Skim off the fat and serve with noodles(any kind) or rice on the side.
11. Tip: To skim the fat, remove the vegetables and meat carefully.
12. Place a double layer of paper towel in a sieve set over a bowl and strain the cooking liquid through the paper towels.
13. You will get a clear and rich colored stock.
14. Divide the meat and vegetables among 4 to 6 bowls and serve with rice on the side or put in noodles in the bowl.

fish sauce, fivespice powder, sugar, beef stew meat, vegetable oil, yellow sweet onion, garlic, ginger, beef stock, stalks lemongrass, anise, cinnamon, chilies, ground annatto seed, carrots

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/spicy-beef-and-carrot-stew-bo-kho-ca-rot-243712 (may not work)