Spiced Beef Bone Soup (With Minimal Spices)
Ingredients:
- 850 grams beef bones
- 1 large carrot, peeled and diced
- 2 large potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 200 grams green beans, cut into pieces
- 2 ripe tomatoes, quartered
- 1 star anise
- 3 cardamom pods
- 3 cloves
- 3 cm cinnamon stick
- 2 scallions, chopped
- 5 stalks celery, chopped
- Salt, pepper, sugar, and beef broth powder to taste
- Oil for sautéing
- Water as needed
For the Spice Paste:
- 4 cloves garlic
- 3 shallots
- 1/2 nutmeg seed
For Garnish:
- Fried shallots
- Sweet soy sauce sambal
- Crackers or emping belinjo (cassava crackers)
Instructions:
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Initial Preparation: Start by bringing a pot of water to a boil. Add the beef bones and cook for about 10 minutes. Remove the bones and discard the water. This process helps to remove impurities from the bones.
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Cooking the Bones: Refill the pot with fresh water and bring it to a boil. Add the cleaned beef bones, cinnamon stick, cloves, cardamom pods, and star anise. Cook until the meat becomes tender. For quicker results, you can use a pressure cooker.
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Sautéing the Spice Paste: While the bones are cooking, prepare the spice paste. Blend together the garlic, shallots, and nutmeg seed until smooth. Heat a small amount of oil in a pan and sauté the spice paste until fragrant and cooked through. Set aside.
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Flavoring the Soup: Once the beef is tender, add the sautéed spice paste, salt, sugar, pepper, and beef broth powder to the pot. Stir well and let it cook briefly to meld the flavors.
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Adding Vegetables: Add the diced potatoes and carrots to the pot. Cook until they are nearly tender. Finally, add the green beans and continue to cook until all the vegetables are cooked through.
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Final Touches: Incorporate the tomatoes, scallions, and celery into the soup. Let it simmer for a few more minutes until everything is well combined and the flavors have melded.
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Serving: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fried shallots. Serve with sweet soy sauce sambal and crackers or emping belinjo on the side for added texture and flavor.
This heartwarming Spiced Beef Bone Soup, with its minimalistic approach to spices, delivers a rich and comforting flavor that will surely satisfy your taste buds. Enjoy the blend of tender beef, hearty vegetables, and aromatic spices in every delicious spoonful.
