When the French colonized Vietnam, they influenced Vietnamese cuisine in many extraordinary ways. Like the classic French dish, beef bourguignon, bò kho also show cases slow braised beef in a medley of deep flavors. The Vietnamese version; however, is simmered in coconut water and laced with lemongrass, garlic, and thai bird peppers.
Bò kho is often served alongside with a toasted baguette, rice, or on top of rice noodles. I like to eat mine straight out of the bowl. This stew is luxurious but simple. Eat and enjoy!
- 3 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into 1 inch cubes
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon lemongrass, finely minced
- 3 tablespoons Chinese Five Spice
- 2 tablespoons Red Boat Fish Sauce
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil
- 2 thai bird chili peppers
- 2 cans 100% coconut water
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups peeled carrots cut into ⅕ inch pieces
- 1-2 teaspoons of Red Boat Fish Sauce (to taste)
- 2 tablespoons annatto seed oil
- Fresh cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Annatto seeds
- In a ziplock bag, add the cubed chuck roast and all other marinade ingredients. Allow to marinade overnight, or at least an hour.
- When ready to cook, remove the beef from the fridge and allow to get to room temperature on the counter.
- When ready, in a large dutch oven or heavy bottom pot on medium heat, add coconut oil. Sear the chuck roast in batches about a minute on each side, make sure not to crowd the pan.
- Once all the chuck roast is browned, return all the beef back into the dutch oven. Add thai chili peppers, coconut water, and enough water to cover the beef. Simmer until tender (about 2 hours). About 40 minutes stew is finished, add carrots. Season with fish sauce to taste.
- In a separate small sauce pan on medium heat, add olive oil and annatto seeds. Let seeds sizzle for about 30 seconds. Don't walk away! These seeds burn easily.
- In a fine mesh sieve over a bowl, drain seeds. Reserve annatto seed oil to color the stew.
- Finish stew with fresh ground pepper and 2 tablespoons annatto seed oil to add color.
Leave a Reply