Sweet Beef Empal Recipe
Ingredients:
- 500 grams beef
- 3 bay leaves
- 2 stalks lemongrass, smashed
- 1 piece galangal, smashed
- 1 tablespoon tamarind water
- 1 sachet (65 ml) coconut milk
- For the Spice Paste:
- 5 cloves garlic
- 8 shallots
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 3 candlenuts
- 1 piece palm sugar, finely grated
- For Additional Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 3 tablespoons sweet soy sauce
- For Frying (Optional):
- Vegetable oil, as needed
- Garnish (Optional):
- Fried shallots (if available)
Instructions:
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Prepare the Beef:
- Boil the beef in water for about 10 minutes. Drain and discard the water.
- Re-boil the beef in fresh water until tender. Once tender, drain and cut the beef into pieces of your preferred size. Lightly pound the pieces to flatten them slightly, then set aside.
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Prepare the Spice Paste:
- Blend or grind the garlic, shallots, ground coriander, candlenuts, and palm sugar into a smooth paste.
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Cook the Spice Paste:
- Heat a little oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté the spice paste until fragrant.
- Add the bay leaves, lemongrass, and galangal to the pan. Continue to sauté for a few minutes.
- Stir in the tamarind water and coconut milk, mixing well.
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Combine Beef with Seasoning:
- Add the beef pieces to the pan. Pour in a little water if needed to cover the beef.
- Season with salt, sugar, black pepper, and sweet soy sauce. Stir to combine.
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Simmer:
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and simmer until the liquid reduces and the beef is well-coated with the sauce, and the flavors are absorbed, about 20-30 minutes.
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Fry (Optional):
- Heat oil in a separate pan over medium heat. Fry the beef pieces briefly until they develop a crispy exterior.
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Serve:
- Serve the sweet beef empal with warm rice and sambal (spicy chili paste) if desired.
- Garnish with fried shallots if available. Enjoy!
This savory and sweet dish is perfect for a satisfying meal and pairs wonderfully with freshly cooked rice.
