Indonesian Spicy Beef Penyetan with Aromatic Sambal

Penyetan Daging Sapi (Indonesian Spicy Beef)

Experience the bold flavors of Indonesian cuisine with this savory and spicy Penyetan Daging Sapi. This dish features tender beef simmered with aromatic herbs and spices, and is paired with a spicy sambal that will tantalize your taste buds. Perfect for a hearty meal, this recipe combines rich flavors and satisfying textures that are sure to become a favorite.

Ingredients

For the Beef:

• 1/4 kilogram beef with some fat (such as brisket or chuck)
• 1 stalk lemongrass, smashed
• 3 bay leaves
• 2 kaffir lime leaves
• 2 pieces galangal (about 2 inches), smashed
• 1/4 teaspoon tamarind paste
• 150 ml water
• 5 shallots

For the Spice Paste:

• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/2 inch piece turmeric, peeled
• 1/2 inch piece ginger, peeled
• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon palm sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt (not heaping)
• 6 red curly chilies

For the Sambal:

• 10 bird’s eye chilies
• 3 shallots
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon shrimp paste
• A pinch of salt
• A pinch of granulated sugar

Instructions

1. Prepare the Beef:

   • Cut the beef into chunks. To tenderize, you can either pressure cook for 15 minutes or wrap the beef in banana leaves and cook for 1 hour to achieve tenderness.

2. Cook the Beef:

   • Heat some oil in a pan. Sauté the lemongrass, bay leaves, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, and the spice paste until fragrant.
   • Add the beef chunks and briefly sauté them. Pour in the water and add the tamarind paste.
   • Season with salt and cook until the water is reduced and the beef is tender, checking the seasoning as needed. Once the water has mostly evaporated, add a little more oil and continue cooking until the beef is slightly browned. Remove from heat and drain excess oil.

3. Prepare the Sambal:

   • In a separate pan, sauté the bird’s eye chilies, shallots, and garlic until cooked. Blend the mixture with the shrimp paste, salt, and sugar until smooth.
   • Combine the cooked beef with the sambal in a mortar and pestle, or mix them together in a bowl.

4. Serve:

   • Serve the Penyetan Daging Sapi warm, ideally with steamed rice or as a delicious component of a larger meal. Enjoy the robust flavors and the spicy kick of the sambal!

This recipe for Penyetan Daging Sapi brings together the complex, aromatic flavors of Indonesian cuisine in a dish that is both satisfying and richly flavored. The combination of tender beef and spicy sambal is sure to be a hit at any meal.