Empal Sapi: A Traditional Indonesian Beef Delight
Empal Sapi, a flavorful and savory Indonesian dish, is a sumptuous beef curry known for its rich and aromatic taste. This recipe blends tender beef with a fragrant mixture of spices, coconut milk, and herbs to create a dish that is both hearty and delicious. Here’s how to prepare Empal Sapi for an authentic taste of Indonesian cuisine.
Ingredients
- Beef: 3/4 kg (cut into thin slices)
- Old Coconut: 1/2 piece, grated (for coconut milk)
- Bay Leaves: 3 leaves
- Lemongrass: 1 stalk
- Palm Sugar: 2 pieces or to taste
- Tamarind: 1 piece (or substitute with lime juice)
Spice Paste
- Coriander Seeds: 1/2 teaspoon
- Black Pepper: A pinch
- Salt: To taste
- Garlic: 5 cloves
- Shallots: 5 cloves
- Galangal: 2 cm (adjust to taste)
- Ginger: 1 cm
- Nutmeg: To taste
- Candlenuts: 5 pieces
- Soy Sauce: To taste
Instructions
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Prepare the Beef: Slice the beef into thin pieces according to your preference. Rinse the pieces thoroughly and set aside.
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Make the Spice Paste: Grind or blend the garlic, shallots, galangal, ginger, nutmeg, candlenuts, coriander seeds, black pepper, and salt into a smooth paste.
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Marinate the Beef: Mix the sliced beef with the prepared spice paste until the meat is evenly coated. Let it marinate for a while to allow the flavors to meld.
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Cook the Beef: In a large pot or deep pan, add the marinated beef along with the bay leaves, lemongrass, and grated coconut. Pour in the coconut milk and stir well.
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Simmer: Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender and the flavors are well combined.
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Add Sweetness and Acidity: When the liquid is almost reduced, add the palm sugar and tamarind (or lime juice). Adjust the sweetness and acidity according to your taste.
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Final Adjustments: Continue cooking until the sauce thickens and coats the beef. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
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Serve: Once the Empal Sapi is cooked to your liking, serve it hot with steamed rice or traditional Indonesian sides.
This recipe for Empal Sapi delivers a hearty and flavorful dish that captures the essence of Indonesian cuisine. Enjoy the delightful blend of spices and tender beef that will surely make your meal memorable.
