Shanghai Braised Beef with Turnips

Here is a stew that makes you hope for leftovers. Chunks of well-marbled beef are browned along with green onions, garlic, chile, and ginger and then slowly simmered in an aromatic broth flavored with star anise, cinnamon, and five-spice powder. When the meat is meltingly tender, wedges of turnip are added, submerged in the sauce, and cooked until they soften and absorb the deep rich flavors.