* 4 teaspoons vegetable oil
* 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
* 1/2 cup chopped green onions
* 2 tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger
* 4 garlic cloves, minced
* 1 (14 1/4-ounce) can low-salt beef broth
* 2.5 cups water
* 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
* 1 tablespoon brown sugar
* 3 tablespoon dry sherry
* 1 tablespoon Chile paste
* 2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
* 2 cups (1-inch) cubed peeled turnips or potatoes (about 3/4 pound)
* 1.5 cups chopped carrots
* 1 tablespoon water
* 2 teaspoons cornstarch
* 1.5 cups fresh spinach per person dining that night
salt for seasoning
DIRECTIONS:
1. Season with some salt.
2. Heat oil in the slow cooker pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
3. Brown the beef on all sides.
4. Add onions, ginger and garlic to pan; sauté 30 seconds.
5. Add the turnips and carrots.
6. Stir in broth, scraping pot to loosen browned bits.
7. Add the water and next 5 ingredients (water through cinnamon sticks),
and bring to a boil.
8. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours.
9. Place slow cooker pot over the stove at medium heat.
10. Combine 1 tablespoon water and cornstarch.
11. Add to the beef mixture.
12. Bring to a boil; cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
13. Add spinach; cover and cook for 3 minutes or until wilted.
14. Discard the cinnamon sticks.
15. Serve this Chinese Beef Stew with rice noodles or egg noodles.