Slow-Cooked Asian Beef Cubes

Ingredients

• 1 kg beef cubes - لحم كباب حلة
• 4 garlic cloves (minced) - فصوص ثوم
• 2 tablespoon sesame oil (or olive oil) - زيت السمسم
• 1 teaspoon black pepper - فلفل أسود
• 4 stem spring onion (finely chopped - keep dark green parts for garnish) - بصلة خضراء
• 2 teaspoon fresh ginger (grated) - جنزبيل
• 2-3 bay leaf - ورق لاورا
• 2.5-3 cup chicken broth/stock - مرقة دجاج
• 1/2 cup fish sauce - صوص السمك التايلاندي

Step by step

1. Marinate the beef cubes with minced garlic, vinegar and black pepper and set aside for 30 minutes or up to overnight in the fridge.
2. Before cooking the meat, make sure it is at room temperature for 20 minutes before. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large pan, slowly add beef cubes and pan fry on medium to high heat. Don't overcrowd the pan to allow each beed cube to get the necessary color.
3. Once you have the right color on the meat, set it aside and use the same pan to heat another tablespoon of oil. Add spring onions, ginger and bay leaf.
4. Stir the onions for a couple of minutes until they can get some color (about 5 minutes). Stir in the date molasses and fish sauce.
5. Add 2.5 cups of broth, stir to combine and bring it to a boil.
6. Add the meat back with all its juices. Once the broth is still boiling, lower heat and cover.
7. Check on the meat after 1 hour - if the water has reduced significantly add more hot broth (about 1/2 cup).
8. Check again after 30 minutes, if the meat is easily cutting then it is ready. The sauce would have halved and thickened too. Otherwise give it another 20-30 minutes until cooked through and the meat is tender and easily sliced.
9. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with the spring onions and fresh coriander leaves. Serve with rice or over noodles.