Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 8 scallions, cut into 1-inch sections
  • 8 garlic cloves, sliced
  • 8 slices fresh ginger
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 12 teaspoons chili paste
  • 1 teaspoon anise seed
  • 12 cup soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons rice wine
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 12 lbs lamb, cut into cubes
  • 4 sweet potatoes, cut into cubes (2lb)
  • 12 lb fresh spinach

Method

  • Heat a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over high heat.
  • Add oil and heat until hot.
  • Add scallions, garlic, ginger, cinnamon sticks, chile paste and aniseed; stir-fry until fragrant, about 15 seconds.
  • Add soy sauce rice wine and sugar.
  • Pour in 5 cups of water and bring to a boil.
  • Add lamb and return to a boil.
  • Reduce the heat to low, partially cover, and simmer until the lamb is just tender, about 1 hour.
  • Add sweet potatoes and continue to cook, partially cover, until they are tender, about 20 minutes.
  • Discard the ginger and cinnamon sticks.
  • Lightly mix in spinach.
  • Cover and cooked until spinach has wilted, about 1 1/2 minutes.
  • Ladle into soup plates and serve.