Braised Beef, Shanxi Style1 lb (400 g) lean boneless beef             
1/2 fennel seed
10 tsp (50 ml) soy sauce                  
3 1/2 oz (100 ml) chicken or duck broth
4 tbsp cornstarch (cornflour), dissolved in 4 tbsp water    
2 tsp rice wine                            
1/4 tsp fresh ginger, chopped
3 oz (100 g) scallions, chopped            
1/4 tsp MSG
3 1/2 fl oz (100 ml) sesame oil

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 and add the fennel seeds. Heat to very hot or until the oil starts to smoke, and add the beef. Stir-fry until barely cooled. Add the stock, rice wine and MSG. Cover the wok, and boil rapidly for 1 minute. Add the ginger, stir and remove.