So far this summer it is cold and rainy, so I seek comfort foods to help knock away the cold and gloom. My beef stew can help warm my soul on these wet and cool days. I call it Bò kho which literally means “beef stew” and can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This hearty soup is sure to lift your spirits as the rains fall.

With its complex blend of lemongrass, ginger, star anise, cinnamon, curry powder, and chili, this sweet and tangy broth with tender carrots, soft onions, and beef could be at home slow cooking in your kitchen. I like to place the stew in the oven to finish braising instead of simmering it on top of the stove. I love braising stews in the oven because the temperature stays constant and I don’t have to watch it.

Here is the ingredients for Bò kho:

• 2½ pounds beef brisket, trimmed and cut into 1½-inch chunks
• 2 large stalks of lemongrass, trimmed of loose leaves, cut into 3-inch lengths, and bruised
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 teaspoons green curry powder
• 2 tablespoons peeled grated fresh ginger
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 cups canned diced tomatoes
• 1 stick of cinnamon
• 2 whole star anis
• 3 red chillis
• 3 cups water
• 1 pound carrots, peeled and chopped into 1 inch pieces
• Salt for taste
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Preheat the oven to 300°F, and marinate the beef, lemongrass, fish sauce, curry powder, ginger, sugar, and bay leaf in a large bowl and mix everything well. Brown the onions with oil and cooked them until they are soft. Add in the tomatoes and salt to taste. Stir to combine, and simmer the sauce for 10 minutes.

Turn the heat to high and stir in the marinated beef for 5 minutes. Add water and the carrots, lemongrass, cinnamon, star anis, and red chili to the pot, and bring the stew up to a boil.

I cover the Dutch oven with the lid and place it in the oven for about 2½ hours or until the brisket is really tender.

When the Bò kho is ready, I serve it in an individual bowl sprinkled with freshly chopped cilantro with a crispy baguette from the Italian Bakery or Lucky 97.

Trust me: after one bowl of this tangy Bò kho you will be saying, “hello Bò kho” and saying so long to the rainy day blues.

Nhan lives in McCauley.