7 Spiced Braised Beef Baos

Ingredients:

• ~1.25 pound beef shank, chuck roast would work to (you can also use a bigger piece of beef shank)
• 2 slices of ginger
• 2 scallions, cut into 2 inch pieces
• 2 tbsp shaoxing wine
• 1 medium piece of rock sugar
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1.5 tbsp dark soy sauce
• 7-spice mix: 3 star anise, 1 cassia cinnamon bark, 2 bay leaves, 1/2 tsp fennel seeds, 4 cloves, 3 dried chilis broken in half, 1/4 tsp Sichuan peppercorn (~5 whole)

Suggested Accompaniments:

• Frozen or homemade baos (or sub for scallion pancakes)
• Hoisin sauce
• Julienned cucumbers
• Julienned scallions
• Cilantro
• Red jalapenos

Instructions:

1. Submerge the shank in a pot of water and a splash of Shaoxing wine. Boil for 10 minutes.
2. Then rinse the shank of any impurities.
3. Tie up your spices in a spice bag if you have one handy.
4. In your @crockpot, add the beef, aromatics, sauces, and spices.
5. Cover with water and braise on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours. At this point your beef should just easily fall apart and shred.
6. Assemble into baos or scallion pancake. Enjoy!

Recipe by: @girlfromcalifornia