Black Bean Beef Casserole (Bò Kho)

2-2.5 kg gravy beef
1-2 gân (luộc riêng, phải luộc lâu lắm mới chín, 1 tiếng hơn) 
1-2 beef tendon (boiled separately, takes about 1-2 hours before it becomes tender)
2-3 quả cà chua (2-3 tomatoes) cut into wedges
3-4 bay leaves 
1 lọ (jar) Lee Kum Kee black bean and garlic sauce 226g (8oz) 
12 củ cà rốt (12 carrots) cut into thick slices
5-6 tép tỏi cắt mỏng (5-6 cloves of garlic thinly sliced)
2 cây xả (cắt khoảng 5cm) (2 lemon grass stalk cut into 5cm pieces)
2-3 star aniseed 

Xào bò với tỏi xong bỏ tương, cà chua, xả , bay leaves chút nước nấu khoảng 30 phút ..riu riu lửa đậy nắp .
Xong bỏ cà rốt, gân vô nấu tới khi cà rốt chín ...1 lọ tương là vừa ăn ..không cần nêm thêm nếu ăn mặn hơn thì thêm nước mắm hoặc tương ..

Sautee the garlic with some oil, then pop in the beef to seal then the black bean and garlic sauce, tomatoes, bay leaves and a little water , lid on and simmer for about 30-40 minutes..ie until beef is tender..
Then add the carrots, tendon and cook until the carrots are tender. I find that one jar of sauce is plenty, no need for extra fish sauce or salt...may be a little sugar to taste.

Can eat with rice noodles, lettuce and herbs or with toast and fried eggs..:)