8/5/2016: This is one of favorite dishes of my family and easy to prepare.

Cut the beef about 2″ x 2″ size, Cook them in the water with ginger, scallions  and anise seed until the beef getting tender (about one hour).  Take out the anise seeds first before adding dark soy sauce, five spices powder and crystal sugar. Cook 15 minutes and stir the sauce with the beef.

Cut onion, celery, tomatoes and carrots and adding them all in the beef and cook another 15 minutes. Use cornstarch and water to thick  the gravy.

It goes great on top of rice or noodle.