Beef Meatball Soup (Sop Bola Daging Sapi)
This hearty and flavorful Indonesian Beef Meatball Soup, or “Sop Bola Daging Sapi,” is a comforting dish that’s perfect for any time of the year. With tender beef meatballs, a medley of vegetables, and a savory broth, it’s a delicious way to warm up on a chilly day. Here’s how you can make it from scratch:
Ingredients:
- 2 pieces beef short ribs (separated into meat and bones)
- 1 carrot, peeled and diced
- 1 potato, peeled and diced
- 5 green beans, trimmed and cut into small pieces
- 1 box of yellow tofu, diced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 shallots, finely chopped
- 1 stalk green onion, chopped
- 2 pieces of ginger, peeled and sliced
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- To taste: white sugar
- To taste: chicken stock powder
- To taste: salt
- To taste: black pepper
- 500 ml water
Instructions:
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Prepare the Beef: Separate the beef from the bones. Blend the beef with salt and black pepper until smooth. Set the bones aside.
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Prepare the Vegetables and Aromatics: Dice all the vegetables into small pieces. Mince the garlic, finely chop the shallots, slice the ginger, and chop the green onion and celery.
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Sauté Aromatics: In a heated pan, add a bit of oil. Sauté the shallots, garlic, ginger, green onion, and celery until fragrant.
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Cook the Broth: Add water and the beef bones to the pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer to infuse the flavors.
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Form the Meatballs: Shape the ground beef mixture into small meatballs, using either your hands or two spoons.
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Add Meatballs and Vegetables: Gently add the meatballs into the simmering broth. Let it cook until the meatballs are cooked through and the broth is bubbling.
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Add Vegetables: Once the meatballs are nearly cooked, add the diced carrot, potato, and green beans. Continue to cook until the vegetables are tender.
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Season the Soup: Season with white sugar, salt, and chicken stock powder to taste. Adjust seasoning as needed. Check the doneness of the soup and ensure all ingredients are cooked through.
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Serve: Remove from heat and serve the soup hot, garnished with additional chopped green onion if desired.
Enjoy this comforting beef meatball soup as a hearty meal or a satisfying starter. Its rich flavors and wholesome ingredients make it a beloved dish that’s sure to please everyone at your table.
