Hearty Indonesian Beef Vegetable Soup (Sayur Sop Sapi)

Simple Indonesian Beef Soup (Sayur Sop Sapi Sederhana)

Ingredients:

• 1 packet Sayur Sop (vegetable soup mix, usually 2,000 IDR)
• 1/2 pound beef, cut into small pieces
• 3/4 clove garlic
• 1 stalk green onion (bawang prei), sliced
• Celery leaves (seladri)
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• Sugar, to taste
• Flavor enhancer (optional), to taste
• Oil, for sautéing
• Fried shallots (bawang merah goreng), for garnish
• Fried garlic (bawang putih goreng), for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prepare Ingredients:
   Gather all your ingredients and kitchen tools. Rinse and clean the vegetable soup mix thoroughly. Cut the beef into small, bite-sized pieces.

2. Cook the Beef:
   In a pot, combine the beef with 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the water reduces by half and the beef is tender.

3. Prepare Aromatics:
   While the beef cooks, grind the garlic, salt, and pepper into a fine paste. Slice the green onion and chop the celery leaves.

4. Sauté Aromatics:
   Heat a small amount of oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the sliced green onion and sauté until fragrant. Incorporate the garlic paste into the pan and continue to sauté, blending the flavors.

5. Combine Ingredients:
   Add a splash of water to the leftover garlic paste and pour this mixture into the pan with the sautéed green onions. Stir to combine.

6. Add Vegetables:
   Add the chopped carrots and any other vegetables with a firmer texture to the pan. Stir and cook until they begin to soften.

7. Simmer the Soup:
   Once the beef has cooked, transfer it along with the broth into the pot with the vegetables. Bring the mixture to a boil.

8. Finish the Soup:
   Add in the softer vegetables such as cabbage and celery leaves. Stir well, then season with sugar, salt, and optional flavor enhancer to taste. Adjust seasoning as needed.

9. Serve:
   Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fried shallots and fried garlic for added flavor and crunch.

10. Enjoy:
    Serve hot and enjoy the comforting flavors of your homemade Sayur Sop Sapi. This hearty soup is perfect as a satisfying meal on its own or paired with rice.

Feel free to adjust the seasoning and vegetables to your preference. Enjoy the simplicity and richness of this traditional Indonesian beef soup!