Indonesian Beef Tongseng: Savory Coconut Stew

Tongseng Daging Sapi is a delightful Indonesian stew featuring tender beef cooked in a rich, spiced coconut milk broth. This dish combines savory, spicy, and slightly sweet flavors for a comforting meal. Here’s a step-by-step guide to recreating this delicious recipe at home.

Ingredients

• 200 grams beef shank (with bone and fat)
• 300 ml coconut milk (combine 1 packet of Kara coconut milk 65ml with water to make up the volume)
• 1 ripe tomato
• 3 cabbage leaves
• 4 whole bird’s eye chilies
• 1 piece of galangal, smashed
• 1 stalk of lemongrass, smashed
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons sweet soy sauce (adjust to taste)
• Salt to taste
• Sugar to taste

Ground Spice Paste:

• 4 shallots
• 2 garlic cloves
• 4 red chilies
• 1 cm turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon coriander
• 1 candlenut

Instructions

1. Prepare the Beef:
   Begin by boiling the beef shank in water for about 20 minutes. This step helps to tenderize the meat and reduces the overall cooking time later.

2. Sauté the Spices:
   Heat some cooking oil in a pan. Add the ground spice paste along with the bay leaf, lemongrass, and galangal. Sauté until the spices become fragrant and aromatic.

3. Add the Beef:
   Once the spices are aromatic, add the pre-cooked beef shank to the pan. Sear the meat for a few minutes, turning it occasionally to ensure even cooking.

4. Incorporate Coconut Milk:
   Pour in the coconut milk, then add the whole bird’s eye chilies, salt, sugar, and sweet soy sauce. Stir to combine and adjust the seasoning to your preference.

5. Simmer the Stew:
   Allow the mixture to cook until the sauce thickens and the beef becomes tender. This may take some time depending on the size of the beef pieces.

6. Add Vegetables:
   When the beef is nearly cooked and the sauce has thickened, add the chopped tomato and cabbage leaves. Stir gently and cook for a few more minutes until the vegetables are tender.

7. Serve:
   Remove the pan from heat once everything is cooked through and the flavors have melded. Garnish with fried shallots if desired, and serve hot.

This Tongseng Daging Sapi is perfect as a main dish accompanied by steamed rice. Enjoy the depth of flavor and the comforting essence of this traditional Indonesian stew!