Easy Indonesian Beef Empal: Savory Spiced Beef Delight

Certainly! Here’s a rewritten version of the Empal Daging Sapi Praktis recipe, tailored for the Love With Recipes site:

Ingredients:

1/2 kg beef (preferably with some fat for tenderness)
1 stalk lemongrass
2 bay leaves
1/2-inch piece of ginger
1/2-inch piece of galangal
For the spice paste:
- 3 candlenuts
- 3 cloves garlic
- 5 shallots
- 1 small tomato
To taste: salt, sugar, soy sauce, and water

Instructions:

Prepare the Beef: Begin by placing the beef into a pot with the lemongrass, galangal, ginger, and bay leaves. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Simmer for approximately 30 minutes, or until the beef is tender.
Make the Spice Paste: While the beef is cooking, prepare the spice paste. Blend together the candlenuts, garlic, shallots, and tomato until smooth.
Pound the Beef: Once the beef is cooked, remove it from the pot and let it cool slightly. Using a mortar and pestle or a meat mallet, gently pound the beef to tenderize it further.
Simmer with Spice Paste: In a separate pan, heat a small amount of oil over medium heat. Add the spice paste and cook until fragrant. Season with salt, sugar, and soy sauce to taste.
Combine and Simmer: Add the pounded beef to the pan with the spice paste. Pour in some of the reserved beef cooking water to help create a sauce. Stir to combine and simmer until the liquid is reduced and absorbed by the beef, adjusting seasoning as needed.
Final Touch: Once the liquid has mostly evaporated and the beef is well-coated with the spice mixture, remove from heat. The beef is now ready to be fried if desired or served as is.
Serving Suggestion: This Empal Daging Sapi can be enjoyed as a delicious side dish or main course. Serve with steamed rice and your favorite vegetable side dishes.

Note: The beef can be prepared in advance and fried just before serving to add a crispy texture. Enjoy!

Feel free to adjust the seasoning and spices according to your taste preferences. Happy cooking!