Beef semur

Prepare these freezer-friendly dishes beforehand and you can have a meal on the table in just minutes - perfect for busy workdays.

Freezer-friendly dishes - Part 1.

Ingredients (serves 6 to 8):
3 tbsp vegetable oil
2 large onions, quartered
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 kg beef flank, cut into chunks
4 tbsp black soya sauce
1 tsp salt
Dash of black pepper
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp white vinegar
1 cinnamon stick
4 star anise
10 cloves
4 cardamom pods
3 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
3 potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 tomatoes, quartered

Method:
1. In a large pot, heat the oil over a medium flame. Add the onions and garlic and fry until lightly browned and fragrant.
2. Bring to high heat, brown the beef on all sides and add the black soya sauce, salt, pepper, sugar and vinegar.
3. Add the spices and mix well. Add enough water the cover the meat, then bring to a boil.
4. Reduce to low heat and simmer for 1 hour. Add the carrots and potatoes and simmer for another hour.
5. Add the tomatoes and cook till soft, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat, leave to cool and freeze.
6. Reheat, then serve with rice and sambal belachan.

Tips:
If your gravy is too thin, stir in a paste of 1 tbsp of cornflour and 1 tsp of water until it thickens. Do this just before serving.

Recipe source: Simply Her magazine (Aug 2008)