Braised Beef with Bamboo Shoots

Ingredients:

3 1/2 oz (100g) young bamboo shoots, fresh or canned
2 1/4 lb. (1 kg ) lean boneless beef
2 tsp. ginger, sliced
2 tsp. scallions, chopped
10 whole Sichuan peppercorns
1 star anise
1/2 oz (15g) rock sugar (or substitute)
4 tbsp (60 ml) vegetable oil
2 tbsp. salted fermented soybean
2 tsp. salt
3 1/2 tbsp rice wine

Procedure:

Soak the bamboo shoots in cold water and cut into small pieces. Blanch quickly in boiling water, drain, and rinse in cold water. Set aside. Cut the beef into 1 inch (3 cm ) chunks and place in a pot with cold water to cover. Bring to a boil and skim off the foam. Then add the ginger, scallion, peppercorns, and star anise. Bring back to a boil and add the sugar. Stir until it dissolves. Turn the heat to low and simmer. While the beef is cooking heat the oil until the surface ripples. Add the soybean paste and stir-fry until it turns slightly red. Add to the beef . When the beef has cooked for about one hour, add the salt, rice wine and the bamboo shoots. Stew the beef another hour until it is very tender, and serve.