Peppered Beef Soup

  

Purpose:

To expel cold and warm the abdomen; to soothe the stomach and smooth qi circulation.  This soup can be used to treat vomiting and loss of appetite due to sluggishness of the functions of stomach and spleen as a result of cold invasion, which may be accompanied by the feeling of pain and cold in the abdomen.  

Material:

Beef stew (or beef)                                 500 g

White pepper                                          15 g

Star anise                                                9 g
Soy sauce                                               1 tbs

Green onion                                            some            

Note:

Any beef can be used.  Cut the meet to bite size.  In US, the way cattle are electrocuted without letting off the blood renders it necessary to remove the blood scum and foam by the following steps: put the beef in a pot to cook with about 5 cups of water.  Bring to quick boil by setting the heating at high, then reduce the fire to low, then quickly use a strainer to remove the larger pieces of floating blood scum, and finally use a fine strainer to remove as much as possible the smaller pieces.  When the water is mostly clear, you can then proceed to add the cleaned spices and start simmering.  Whole white pepper and star anise (not powder) are used and they should be available from whole food store, or some specialty stores for spices, or Chinese grocers.  Green onion is to add some flavor and green color.

Procedure:

a.   Wash clean white pepper and star anise.  Clean and cut the green onion to small pieces.    

b.   Clean and cut the beef to bite size.  Add about 5 cups of water to beef in one pot.  Bring to boil.  Remove foam and scum.  Then add white pepper and star anise.  Let simmer for 2 hours.

c.   Add 1 table spoon soy sauce and add some salt to your taste. 

d.   Sprinkle some cleaned and cut green onion.  Boil for 1 min.  Ready to serve.

        

Comment:

From my experience, the soup tastes great right after cooking, but the meat tastes better after being kept for one day in the refrigerator (to soak in salt or soy sauce).  Microwave to warm up before serving.  It is a very good snack soup after a day's work - it is warm and good on your hungry stomach.  This is a good way to prevent you from eating too much cold food when the body is tired and weak, and can contract cold much more easily. 

Star anise (八角）

White pepper (白胡椒）