FIVE-SPICE BEEF

Serves 4 INGREDIENTS

2 tbsp light olive oil

450g minced beef

1 tbsp cornflour

2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder

4 tbsp boiling water

3 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp honey

1 tbsp tomato ketchup

1 tbsp sweet chilli sauce

2 tbsp rice vinegar

200g French beans, cut into 3cm lengths 2 garlic cloves, crushed or finely grated

4cm piece of ginger, peeled and cut into matchsticks

1 chilli, preferably red, deseeded (optional) and finely sliced

4 spring onions, lightly trimmed and finely sliced, using all the green sesame seeds, for sprinkling sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

TO SERVE

rice or noodles greens (optional) firm lettuce leaves such as Little Gem (optional)

This is such a quick and easy dish and really versatile with various leftovers. It is one of those dishes where people do not have to sit at a table if it is served as suggested, which is mixed with rice and spooned into a lettuce leaf. A great one for guests too, who can make up the little lettuce cups themselves.

METHOD

• Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Season the beef and add it to the pan, breaking it up with a wooden spoon so it is in an even layer. Fry for 5 minutes before turning over so it is crispy all over.

• In the meantime, make up the sauce in a jug. Start by dissolving the cornflour and Chinese five spice in the boiling water, then, when smooth, stir in the soy sauce, honey, ketchup, chilli sauce and vinegar.

• When the beef is ready, add the beans and, after a couple of minutes, throw in the garlic, ginger and chilli and let these cook for a few minutes, stirring constantly or shaking the pan. Pour over the sauce and bring to a good simmer. Cook for 5 minutes, or until the sauce coats the contents of the pan. Sprinkle over some sesame seeds.

• Serve with rice or noodles and some greens, if desired. Personally, I like to mix the beef with some rice and spoon into lettuce leaves.