Aromatic beef (cold)

Yield: 8 Servings

2 lb Beef bottom round -fat trimmed Oil      4 oz Soy sauce
6 oz Dry sherry      4 Garlic cloves
2 Ginger slices      3 Scallions in 1" lengths
1 Cinnamon stick      1 Star anise star
4 Basil sprigs      1 tb Sugar Water to cover
2 tb Gelatin      4 oz Cold water

Sesame oil Wash meat and pat dry. Brown quickly on all sides in a little oil. Combine next 9 ingredients in a large kettle. Bring to a boil. Add meat and water to cover. Lower heat and let simmer at lowest heat for 2 hrs. Off heat let steep for 1 hr. Remove beef chill and slice thin. Strain and defat liquid. Soften gelatin in water; add to liquid in a fresh pot. Bring to a boil and reduce to 2 - 2 1/2 c. Let cool. Arrange beef in a serving bowl or dish or mold that has been oiled with a dash of sesame oil. Pour cooled liquid over. Chill in fridge. To serve: unmold on a bed of greens. From: Michael Loo