Homemade Indonesian Beef Meatballs (Bakso Sapi)
Bakso Sapi, a beloved Indonesian dish, features tender beef meatballs in a savory broth, often enjoyed with a spicy sambal and a range of accompaniments. This homemade version brings the delicious flavors of Indonesia right to your kitchen. Follow these steps to create a comforting bowl of Bakso Sapi from scratch.
Ingredients
For the Meatball Mixture:
- 250 grams of beef, finely chopped
- 25 grams of ice cubes (about 4 cubes, each 2 cm x 2 cm)
- 1 egg white
- 3 tablespoons tapioca flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 tablespoon fried garlic, finely ground
For the Meatball Broth:
- 800 ml water
- Beef bones, beef scraps, or beef short ribs for the stock
- 7 cloves garlic
- 4 shallots
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- Chopped green onions or 1 stalk celery
Instructions
Preparing the Meatball Mixture:
- Prepare Ingredients: Gather all the ingredients. Finely chop the beef into small pieces.
- Blend Beef: Place the chopped beef into a blender. Add the ice cubes (and crush them in the blender as well). Blend until the mixture is smooth.
- Add Egg White: Add the egg white to the beef mixture and blend until well incorporated.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Add tapioca flour, fried garlic, salt, pepper, and baking powder to the beef mixture. Blend again until the mixture is evenly combined.
- Knead the Mixture: Transfer the meatball mixture to a large bowl. Knead and pound the mixture until it becomes smooth and has a paste-like consistency. Shape the mixture into small balls.
- Cook Meatballs: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and gently drop the meatballs into the water. When the meatballs float to the surface, they are cooked. Remove them from the water and place them into an ice bath to cool. Once cooled, the meatballs are ready to be used.
Preparing the Broth:
- Cook Stock: In a large pot, bring the water to a boil. Add the beef bones, beef scraps, or short ribs. Simmer until the water reduces by half.
- Prepare Aromatics: In a pan, heat the oil and sauté the garlic and shallots until they are slightly wilted. Blend the sautéed aromatics into a paste.
- Add Paste to Broth: Add the garlic-shallot paste to the simmering broth. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper according to your taste.
- Finish Broth: Once the broth is seasoned to your liking, sprinkle in chopped green onions or a stalk of celery. Simmer for a few more minutes.
Serving:
- Ladle the hot broth into bowls and add the cooked meatballs. Serve with your choice of sambal, sauce, and other accompaniments.
Enjoy your homemade Bakso Sapi with all the traditional fixings for a deliciously authentic Indonesian meal!
