Thai Braised Beef with Coconut Milk and Ginger

1 (2 1/2-lb.) boneless chuck roast
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. ground coriander
1 tsp. ground cardamom
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. ground red pepper
1 tsp. ground turmeric
1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
2 tsp. vegetable oil, divided
3 cups chopped onion
1 cup diced carrot
2 Tbsp. minced peeled fresh ginger
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 (16-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1-1/2 cups light coconut milk
2 Tbsp. sliced peeled fresh lemon grass or 1 Tbsp. thinly sliced lime rind
3 bay leaves
6 cups hot cooked Chinese-style egg noodles (about 12 oz. uncooked)
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Trim fat from beef. Cut beef into 2-inch pieces. Combine salt and next 6 ingredients (salt through black pepper) in a small bowl. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of spice mixture over beef, and toss to coat; reserve remaining spice mixture.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add beef; cook 5 minutes, browning on all sides. Remove from pan. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in pan. Add onion, carrot, ginger and garlic; sauté 8 minutes or until tender. Stir in broth, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Return beef to pan. Add remaining spice mixture, coconut milk, lemon grass, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil. Cover and bake at 325 degrees for 2 hours. Remove beef from pan using a slotted spoon; shred with 2 forks, set aside and keep warm. Bring vegetable mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook 10 minutes or until slightly thick. Discard bay leaves. Serve beef and vegetable mixture over noodles. Sprinkle with cilantro.

Yield: 6 servings be

Note: You can find light coconut milk in the Asian or Mexican section of most supermarkets. If yours does not carry it, ask your grocer to order it for you.

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