Indonesian Spiced Beef Stew (Sapi Serani)

Sapi Serani: A Savory Indonesian Beef Delight

Ingredients:

• 500 grams beef, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, sliced
• 5 shallots, sliced
• 1-inch piece of turmeric, sliced
• 1-inch piece of ginger, sliced
• 1 stalk lemongrass, bruised
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 kaffir lime leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 2 red chilies, sliced
• 5 bird’s eye chilies, sliced
• 1 tomato (or you can use bilimbi, tamarind as an alternative)
• Water

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Beef:

   • In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add the thinly sliced beef and cook until the meat begins to tenderize.

2. Sauté the Aromatics:

   • In a pan, heat a bit of oil and sauté the garlic, shallots, turmeric, and ginger until fragrant. This step is optional; some prefer to add the raw spices directly into the pot with the beef.

3. Combine Ingredients:

   • Add the sautéed spices (or raw spices if you choose) along with lemongrass, bay leaves, kaffir lime leaf, ground black pepper, salt, and sugar to the pot with the beef.

4. Simmer:

   • Allow the mixture to simmer until the beef is tender and the flavors are well combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

5. Add the Heat:

   • Incorporate the sliced red chilies, bird’s eye chilies, and tomato (or bilimbi/tamarind) into the pot. Continue to cook until everything is well integrated.

6. Serve:

   • Once the beef is tender and the dish has reached the desired flavor, remove from heat. Serve hot and enjoy!

Note: For a richer flavor, you can sauté the spices before adding them to the beef. However, if you prefer a more straightforward approach, simply add the raw spices directly into the pot.