Indonesian Spicy Beef Stew with Coconut Milk (Tongseng Sapi)

Tongseng Sapi: A Savory Indonesian Beef Stew

Tongseng Sapi, a flavorful Indonesian beef stew, is known for its aromatic spices and rich, creamy coconut broth. This hearty dish, featuring tender beef and a medley of spices, is perfect for a satisfying meal. Below is a detailed recipe to guide you in making this delicious dish.

Ingredients:

• Beef: 1 kg (cut into cubes or as desired)
• Herbs and Spices:
  • 2 stalks lemongrass (crushed)
  • 1 piece galangal (crushed)
  • 1 small cinnamon stick
  • 4 bay leaves
  • 12 Thai bird chilies (or to taste)
  • 4 tablespoons ground coriander
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper
• Vegetables:
  • 2 tomatoes (sliced)
  • 3 large cabbage leaves (roughly chopped)
• Coconut Milk:
  • 1.5 liters from 1 coconut
• Ground Spice Paste:
  • 15 shallots
  • 7 garlic cloves
  • 10 curly chilies
  • 4 candlenuts
  • 1 piece turmeric (or 1 teaspoon ground turmeric)
• Seasonings:
  • 4 tablespoons sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
  • Sugar (to taste)
  • Salt (to taste)
• For Garnish:
  • Fried shallots

Steps:

1. Prepare the Spice Paste: In a blender or food processor, combine shallots, garlic, curly chilies, candlenuts, and turmeric. Blend until you achieve a smooth paste. This aromatic paste forms the base of the dish.

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2. Sauté the Aromatics: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat a little oil over medium heat. Add the ground spice paste, lemongrass, bay leaves, galangal, and cinnamon stick. Sauté until the mixture is fragrant and the spices are well-cooked.

3. Cook the Beef: Add the beef cubes to the pot. Stir-fry until the beef changes color and is well-coated with the spice mixture.

4. Add Coconut Milk: Pour in the coconut milk, ensuring the beef is covered. Stir in the sweet soy sauce, salt, and sugar. Reduce the heat to low and let the stew simmer. Cook gently until the beef becomes tender and the flavors meld together, and the liquid reduces slightly.

5. Add Vegetables: About 10 minutes before the stew is ready, add the chopped cabbage and sliced tomatoes. Allow them to cook just enough to become tender but still maintain some texture.

6. Final Adjustments: Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, sugar, or sweet soy sauce as needed.

7. Serve: Garnish with fried shallots before serving. Enjoy the Tongseng Sapi warm, with a side of steamed rice.

This Tongseng Sapi recipe offers a wonderful blend of savory, spicy, and slightly sweet flavors, with a rich coconut broth that enhances the tenderness of the beef. Perfect for a comforting meal, it will surely be a hit at your dining table.