Spicy Beef Stir-Fry: Oseng Mercon Daging Sapi
Experience the intense flavors of Indonesian cuisine with this Spicy Beef Stir-Fry, or Oseng Mercon Daging Sapi. This vibrant dish features tender beef simmered with aromatic spices and fiery chilies, delivering a bold, savory kick. Ideal for those who love a bit of heat in their meals, it pairs wonderfully with steamed rice for a complete, satisfying feast.
Ingredients
- 300 grams beef, preferably with some fat
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 cm galangal, smashed
- 2 tablespoons sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
- Salt, sugar, black pepper, and beef stock powder to taste
- 10 whole bird’s eye chilies (cabe rawit)
- Beef broth from cooking the beef
For the Spice Paste:
- 3 cloves garlic
- 6 shallots
- 1 red cayenne chili (cabe merah tanjung)
- 10 red bird’s eye chilies
- 6 curly red chilies (cabe keriting)
Instructions
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Prepare the Beef:
- In a large pot, boil the beef until tender. Once cooked, cut the beef into bite-sized pieces and set aside. Ensure you keep the beef broth as it will be used later in the recipe.
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Make the Spice Paste:
- Using a mortar and pestle or a food processor, grind the garlic, shallots, red cayenne chili, red bird’s eye chilies, and curly red chilies into a smooth paste.
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Cook the Spice Paste:
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the spice paste, bay leaves, smashed galangal, and whole bird’s eye chilies. Sauté until the paste is fragrant and the chilies have softened.
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Combine and Simmer:
- Add the beef pieces to the skillet. Season with salt, sugar, black pepper, sweet soy sauce, and beef stock powder. Stir well to ensure the beef is evenly coated with the spices.
- Pour in about one glass of the reserved beef broth. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
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Finish Cooking:
- Continue cooking until the liquid reduces and the spices are well absorbed into the beef. Adjust seasoning to taste if needed.
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Serve:
- Once the sauce has thickened and the beef is well-coated with the spicy mix, remove from heat. Serve hot with steamed rice for a flavorful meal.
Enjoy this dish as a delightful, fiery addition to your dinner table, perfect for spice enthusiasts and anyone eager to explore the rich flavors of Indonesian cooking.
