Vietnamese Beef Stew (Bo' Kho) Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 lbs boneless beef chuck, cut into 1.5 inch cube (weigh after trimming)
• 1 stalk lemongrass, cut into 2 inch pieces and bruised
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Chinese five spice powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons minced ginger
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes or 1 (14 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 lb carrot, peeled,cut into 1 inch chunks
• 2 star anise
• 3 cups water
• Thai basil (optional)
• cilantro (optional)