Hearty Beef Bone Soup (Sop Balungan Sapi) – Flavorful, MSG-Free Delight

Sop Balungan Sapi (Beef Bone Soup) No MSG

Ingredients

For the Soup:

• 2 kg beef bones (with some meat attached)

Spice Paste:

• 6 cloves shallots
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1/2 nutmeg
• 1 tsp peppercorns
• 2 cloves
• 1 star anise
• 1 piece ginger (smashed)
• Salt to taste
• Sugar to taste

Additional Ingredients:

• 2 tomatoes
• 2 stalks green onions (chopped)
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil (for sautéing)

Garnishes:

• 5 carrots (sliced)
• 2 potatoes (diced)
• Celery (sliced, to taste)
• Fried shallots (to taste)

Preparation Steps

1. Pre-boil the Bones: Begin by boiling the beef bones for about 5 minutes. Once done, strain and discard the water to remove impurities.

2. Prepare the Spice Paste: Blend shallots, garlic, nutmeg, and peppercorns until smooth. Heat vegetable oil in a pan and sauté the blended spice paste along with the smashed ginger, cloves, and star anise until fragrant. Set aside.

3. Simmer the Soup: In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add the pre-boiled beef bones and the sautéed spice paste. Simmer the bones until the meat becomes tender.

4. Season the Soup: Once the meat is tender, season the soup with salt and sugar to taste. Add the chopped green onions and tomatoes, simmer briefly, and then turn off the heat.

5. Prepare the Garnishes: Steam the sliced carrots and diced potatoes until tender.

6. Serve: In serving bowls, place the beef bones along with the steamed carrots and potatoes. Pour the hot broth over the bones and vegetables. Garnish with sliced celery and fried shallots.

Enjoy!

Indulge in this comforting and flavorful Sop Balungan Sapi, perfect for warming up any meal. This recipe uses no MSG, relying instead on the natural richness of the beef bones and a medley of aromatic spices for a delightful and satisfying soup experience.