Beef Stew with Potatoes

Lamb was a rare commodity in our town in Michigan, so my mother oftentimes would make do with beef. This dish—think American beef stew with Chinese seasonings—would show up on our dinner table at least once a week, steaming up the kitchen with the smell of fennel, star anise, and soy. It’s simple and homey, a salty and spicy accompaniment to rice, perfect for cold Michigan winter suppers, and even more tender and flavorful after a day of sitting. You wouldn’t necessarily find this dish in r