Authentic Indonesian Rawon Sapi: Savory Beef Soup with Spicy Spice Paste

Rawon Sapi: A Rich and Flavorful Indonesian Beef Soup

Rawon Sapi is a traditional Indonesian beef soup known for its deep, rich flavors and distinctive black color. The key to its unique taste lies in the special spices and seasonings used, creating a comforting and aromatic dish. This recipe will guide you through preparing a delicious Rawon Sapi that’s perfect for family dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

For the Beef and Spice Paste:

• 250 grams of beef (preferably brisket or chuck), cut into cubes

Spice Paste (Bumbu Halus):

• 6 pieces of keluwek (Pangium edule) seeds, cracked open and extracted
• 12 shallots (bawang merah)
• 3 cloves of garlic (bawang putih)
• 3 candlenuts (kemiri)
• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds (ketumbar)
• 1 teaspoon black pepper (lada)
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds (jinten)

For the Soup:

• 2 kaffir lime leaves (daun jeruk)
• 2 bay leaves (daun salam)
• 1 stalk lemongrass (sereh), smashed
• A piece of galangal (lengkuas), smashed
• 2 cardamom pods (kapulaga)
• A small piece of cinnamon stick (kayumanis)
• Salt, sugar, and seasoning to taste

For Garnishing:

• Fried shallots (bawang goreng)
• Bean sprouts (kecambah)
• Thinly sliced fried potatoes (kentang goreng tipis)
• Sambal (chili sauce)
• Shrimp crackers (kerupuk udang)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Spice Paste:

   • In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the candlenuts and coriander seeds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn them.
   • Once toasted, grind all the ingredients for the spice paste (keluwek seeds, shallots, garlic, candlenuts, coriander seeds, black pepper, and cumin seeds) into a smooth paste using a mortar and pestle or a food processor.

2. Cook the Beef:

   • Heat some oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the spice paste and sauté until it becomes fragrant and well-cooked, about 5-7 minutes.
   • Add the beef cubes to the pot and stir well, allowing the beef to brown slightly and absorb the flavors of the spice paste.

3. Simmer the Soup:

   • Pour in enough water to cover the beef, and bring to a boil.
   • Add the kaffir lime leaves, bay leaves, lemongrass, galangal, cardamom pods, and cinnamon stick. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the beef is tender and the flavors have melded together.

4. Season the Soup:

   • Season the soup with salt, sugar, and seasoning according to your taste. Adjust the seasoning as needed.

5. Serve:

   • Serve the Rawon Sapi hot, garnished with fried shallots, bean sprouts, thinly sliced fried potatoes, sambal, and shrimp crackers on the side.

6. Enjoy:

   • Your Rawon Sapi is now ready to be enjoyed! This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed rice and offers a comforting and flavorful meal that’s sure to please your taste buds.

Feel free to take a photo of your beautifully presented Rawon Sapi and share it with friends and family. Enjoy the rich, aromatic flavors of this traditional Indonesian beef soup!