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INSTANT POT ASIAN BEEF STEW

Adapted from Amy & Jackie’s recipe here.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil

  • 1–1½ pounds stewing beef cubes

  • 1 onion, sliced

  • 3 garlic cloves, roughly minced

  • 3–4 dried red or green chili peppers

  • ½ cup water or unsalted stock

  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar

  • 1 tablespoon regular soy sauce

  • 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce

  • 1–2 potatoes, chopped into bite-size pieces

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch, dissolved in 2 tablespoons water

  • Salt to taste

  • A few drops of sesame oil (optional)

  • 2 (49g) stalks green onions, cut into 2 inches strips (optional)

Serves 4.

Method

  1. Start Sauté function on Instant Pot on the hottest setting and wait for the indicator to show HOT.

  2. Season the beef generously with salt. Add some oil to the pressure cooker, ensuring that the entire bottom of the inner pot is lightly coated. Place the beef in the pressure cooker and brown for 3 minutes on each side, cooking in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot. Remove browned beef and set aside in a large bowl.

  3. Add some more oil if necessary. Add the onion and cook for a couple minutes.

  4. Add the garlic, chili peppers, water or stock, sugar, and soy sauce. Deglaze the bottom of the pot by scraping off the flavorful brown bits with a wooden spoon.

  5. Add back the set aside beef and any juices to the pressure cooker. Partially submerge the beef in the liquid.

  6. Place the potatoes on top.

  7. Cook on high pressure for 12 minutes + 15 minutes natural release. Release any remaining pressure and open the lid carefully.

  8. Start Sauté function on Instant Pot on the hottest setting and wait for the liquid to come to a simmer.

  9. Add the cornstarch and water mixture. Allow it to simmer for a few minutes until the liquid has thickened slightly.

  10. Add a few drops of sesame oil (if using) and salt to taste.

  11. Garnish with green onions (if using) and serve on a bed of rice.

Notes

  • If I’ve cooked this in advance, I sometimes allow for full natural release in step 7. This allows the beef to become even more tender.

  • Options to add more veggies:

    • Add a carrot or two, chopped into bite-size pieces, and add to the pressure cooker with the potatoes in step 6.

    • Steam some Chinese greens and serve as a side dish.

    • Serve on a bed of spinach or a combination of rice and spinach.

    • Serve with kimchi on the side.