Tongseng Daging Sapi Recipe: A Flavorful Indonesian Beef Stew
Welcome to an exquisite journey through the vibrant flavors of Indonesian cuisine with this delightful Tongseng Daging Sapi recipe. This traditional beef stew is rich in spices and boasts a savory-sweet profile that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds. Let’s dive into the details of this hearty dish.
Ingredients
For the Beef Stew:

- 400 grams of beef, cut into bite-sized pieces
For the Spice Paste:
- 7 shallots
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 candlenut
- 2 red curly chilies (or 1 large red chili)
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder or 2 cm fresh turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For Additional Seasoning:
- 1 stalk lemongrass
- 4 kaffir lime leaves
- 2 cloves
- 3 cardamom pods
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (or 2 cinnamon sticks)
- 1 beef bouillon cube
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
- 130 ml thick coconut milk or milk
- 500 ml water
For Final Touches:
- Coarsely chopped tomatoes and cabbage (quantity to taste)
- 8 whole bird’s eye chilies
Instructions
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Prepare the Beef:
- Rinse the beef pieces thoroughly and pat them dry with a paper towel.
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Make the Spice Paste:
- In a blender or food processor, combine shallots, garlic cloves, candlenut, and red chilies. Blend until smooth, adding a little oil to facilitate blending if necessary (avoid using water).
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Cook the Spice Paste:
- Heat a pan with a small amount of oil over medium heat. Add the spice paste and cook until fragrant. Incorporate lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, cloves, cardamom pods, ground coriander, and ground cinnamon. Sauté until the spices release their aroma.
-
Season the Beef:
- Add the sweet soy sauce, sugar, salt, and beef bouillon cube to the spice mixture. Stir well to combine and let it cook for a couple of minutes.
-
Simmer the Beef:
- Add the beef pieces and coconut milk to the pan. Stir continuously until the mixture begins to boil. This helps prevent the coconut milk from curdling.
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Add Water and Cook:
- Pour in the water and bring the stew to a gentle simmer. Continue cooking until the beef becomes tender and the flavors meld together, which should take about 1-1.5 hours.
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Add Final Ingredients:
- Once the beef is tender, add the chopped tomatoes and cabbage. Cook for an additional 10 minutes. Adjust seasoning if needed.
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Garnish and Serve:
- Stir in whole bird’s eye chilies for an extra kick, if desired. Serve the Tongseng Daging Sapi hot, garnished with crispy fried shallots for an added crunch.
This flavorful beef stew, with its complex layers of spices and rich coconut base, is perfect for a cozy dinner or a special occasion. Enjoy the delicious and aromatic experience of Indonesian cuisine right in your own kitchen!