Aromatic Beef (Cold)
beef, chinese, loo
2 lb beef bottom round, fat trimmed
1 oil
4 oz soy sauce
6 oz dry sherry
4 garlic cloves
2 ginger slices
3 scallions, in 1 lengths
1 cinnamon stick
1 star anise star
4 basil sprigs
1 tablespoon sugar
1 water to cover
2 tablespoon gelatin
4 oz cold water
1 sesame oil
Wash meat and pat dry. Brown quickly on all sides in a little oil. Combine next 9 ingredients in a large kettle. Bring to a boil. Add meat and water to cover. Lower heat and let simmer at lowest heat for 2 hrs. Off heat, let steep for 1 hr. Remove beef, chill, and slice thin.
Strain and defat liquid. Soften gelatin in water; add to liquid in a fresh pot. Bring to a boil and reduce to 2 - 2 1/2 c. Let cool. Arrange beef in a serving bowl or dish or mold that has been oiled with a dash of sesame oil. Pour cooled liquid over. Chill in fridge.
To serve: unmold on a bed of greens.
From: Michael Loo
Yield: 8 servings