Crispy Indonesian Spiced Beef Empal Gepuk

Crispy Indonesian Beef Empal Gepuk

Empal Gepuk Daging Sapi Garing is a traditional Indonesian dish known for its flavorful marinated beef, which is cooked until crispy and delicious. This recipe is a wonderful fusion of tender and crispy textures, perfect for serving as a main course or as a savory addition to any meal. Follow these steps to recreate this classic dish at home.

Ingredients

For the Beef:

• 500 grams of beef (preferably flank or sirloin)

For the Braising Spices:

• 3 bay leaves
• 3 kaffir lime leaves
• 1 stalk lemongrass (bruised)
• 3 cm galangal (bruised)
• 3 cm ginger (bruised)
• 1 piece of palm sugar

For the Marinade:

• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon salt
• A small amount of water
• Cooking oil

Instructions

1. Prepare the Beef:

   • Slice the beef against the grain into thin strips. This ensures that the meat remains tender after cooking.

2. Braise the Beef:

   • In a large pot, combine the beef with bay leaves, kaffir lime leaves, bruised lemongrass, galangal, ginger, and palm sugar. Add enough water to cover the beef.
   • Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently. Cook until the beef is tender, which should take approximately 45 to 50 minutes. If you’re short on time, you can use a pressure cooker to speed up this process.
   • Once cooked, remove the beef from the pot and drain it well.

3. Prepare the Marinade:

   • In a blender or food processor, combine the garlic, ground coriander, salt, and a small amount of water. Blend until smooth to create a marinade.

4. Marinate the Beef:

   • Rub the marinade thoroughly over the cooked beef strips. Let the beef marinate for about 10 to 15 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.

5. Fry the Beef:

   • Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry the marinated beef strips in batches, cooking them until they turn golden brown and crispy. Be sure to turn the beef occasionally to ensure even cooking.

6. Serve:

   • Once crispy, remove the beef from the pan and drain any excess oil on paper towels. Serve the empal gepuk while still warm for the best taste.

Enjoy this crispy and flavorful Indonesian delicacy, perfect as a standalone dish or paired with steamed rice and fresh vegetables.