Simmered Beef with Potatoes

Another typical example of Japanese home cooking, known as Nikujaga, this would be thought of as one of mother's special dishes.

Ingredients

  • potatoes - 4, medium, peeled
  • beef topside - 300g/11 oz, thinly sliced
  • frozen peas - 30ml/2 tbsp
  • oil - 15ml/1 tbsp
  • onion - 1, large, cut into wedges
  • instant dashi (stock) - 200ml/7fl oz/scant 1 cup, or water
  • sugar - 30ml/2 tbsp
  • sake or dry white wine - 22.5ml/4½ tsp
  • mirin - 22.5ml/4½ tsp
  • soy sauce - 22.5ml/4½ tsp

Method

  • Cut each potatoes into thirds or quarter and soak them in cold water for 5 minutes. Drain well.
  • Cut the beef into 3-4 cm/1¼-1½ in long strips. Pour hot water over the frozen peas and leave until thawed, then drain.
  • Heat the oil in a deep frying pan or saucepan. Remove from the heat and add the beef.
  • Replace the pan on the heat and fry the beef for 1 minute. Add the onion and potatoes, and fry for a further 2 minutes.
  • Fold a sheet of foil in half so that it is just smaller than the diameter of the frying pan.
  • Pour in the stock or water and bring to the boil. Skin the broth carefully.
  • When the soup clears, cover the pan with the foil and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Stir in the sugar and sake or wine, cover and simmer for a further 4-5 minutes.
  • Add the mirin and 15ml/3 tsp soy sauce, re-cover the pan and simmer for 6-7 minutes.
  • Finally, stir in the remaining soy sauce and simmer, uncovered , until only a little soup remain.
  • Shake the pan gently occasionally to prevent the ingredients from burning. Serve the beef and potatoes in a large bowl, sprinkled with the peas. Serves 4.

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