Cinnamon Beef Noodles

Ingredients

• 5 cups water
• 1 1/2 cups rice wine or sake
• 3/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
• 8 green onions, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 6 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1-inch piece peeled fresh ginger, thinly sliced
• 1 (10 ounce) package fresh spinach, chopped
• 4 cups hot cooked wide noodles or vermicelli(about 8 ounces uncooked pasta)

Instructions

1. Combine water, rice wine, soy sauce and sugar in a large bowl; stir with a whisk. Set aside.
2. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat; add half the beef, browning on all sides. Remove from pan. Repeat procedure with remaining oil and beef.
3. Return beef to pan; add water mixture, onions, garlic, cinnamon and ginger. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 2 hours.
4. Discard ginger slices and cinnamon. Stir in spinach; cook 3 minutes or until wilted.
5. Serve over noodles.

Yields 8 servings.