Indonesian Beef and Tofu Coconut Curry

Gulai Daging Tahu: A Flavorful Indonesian Stew

Ingredients:

• 10 pieces of fried tofu (tahu putih)
• 1/2 kg beef
• 500 ml thick coconut milk (santan kental)
• 4 bay leaves (daun salam)
• 5 kaffir lime leaves (daun jeruk)
• Cooking oil, as needed for sautéing
• Salt, to taste
• Seasoning, to taste

For the Spice Paste (Bumbu Halus):

• 5 large red chilies (cabe merah besar)
• 5 curly chilies (lombok keriting)
• 5 cloves of garlic (bawang putih)
• 7 cloves of shallots (bawang merah)
• A thumb-sized piece of turmeric (kunyit)
• A thumb-sized piece of ginger (jahe)
• 1 teaspoon cumin (jintan)
• 1 teaspoon coriander (ketumbar)
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (pala)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (lada)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Beef:
   Begin by boiling the beef in water until tender and the liquid has reduced. This step ensures the beef is soft and infused with the flavors that will develop further in the stew.

2. Make the Spice Paste:
   Blend all the spice paste ingredients together until smooth. This includes the red chilies, curly chilies, garlic, shallots, turmeric, ginger, cumin, coriander, nutmeg, and black pepper.

3. Sauté the Spice Paste:
   Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the spice paste and sauté until it becomes aromatic and the oil begins to separate from the paste. This step is crucial for releasing the full flavor of the spices.

4. Combine Ingredients:
   Add the sautéed spice paste to the pot with the boiled beef. Stir well to coat the beef with the spices.

5. Add Coconut Milk and Herbs:
   Pour in the second extraction of coconut milk and add the bay leaves and kaffir lime leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil.

6. Incorporate the First Coconut Milk:
   Once boiling, add the first extraction of coconut milk. Stir gently to combine, making sure to prevent the coconut milk from curdling. Season with salt, sugar, and seasoning to taste.

7. Add Tofu:
   Slice the fried tofu into triangles and add them to the pot. Allow the tofu to heat through by simmering briefly.

8. Final Adjustments:
   Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Turn off the heat once the tofu is well incorporated and the flavors are balanced.

9. Serve:
   Serve the Gulai Daging Tahu hot with steamed rice for a satisfying meal. Enjoy the rich, aromatic flavors of this traditional Indonesian dish!

This Gulai Daging Tahu is a comforting and flavorful stew that combines tender beef and crispy tofu in a rich coconut-based sauce, making it a perfect choice for a hearty and aromatic meal.