Savory Indonesian Beef Empal with Coconut Milk

Empal Daging Sapi Recipe: A Delightful Indonesian Beef Dish

Empal Daging Sapi is a classic Indonesian dish that boasts a rich combination of flavors and a tender texture, making it a favorite for special occasions and everyday meals alike. This recipe will guide you through creating this delectable beef dish, from preparation to serving.

Ingredients:

• 500 grams of beef (cut into thin slices along the grain)
• 600 ml water
• 100 ml coconut milk (santan)
• 2 cm galangal (lengkuas), smashed
• 2 kaffir lime leaves (daun jeruk)
• 1 stalk lemongrass (sereh), smashed
• 2 bay leaves (daun salam)
• 30 grams palm sugar (gula merah), adjust to taste
• Salt, to taste

For the Spice Paste:

• 5 cloves garlic (bawang putih)
• 6 shallots (bawang merah)
• 4 candlenuts (kemiri)
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder (kunyit bubuk)
• 1/2 tablespoon ground coriander (ketumbar bubuk)
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper (lada)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Beef:

   • Slice the beef against the grain into thin strips. This ensures the meat remains tender and flavorful.

2. Make the Spice Paste:

   • In a food processor or mortar and pestle, blend the garlic, shallots, candlenuts, turmeric powder, ground coriander, and black pepper until a smooth paste forms.

3. Combine Ingredients:

   • In a large pot, combine the spice paste with the beef slices. Add palm sugar, salt, kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, galangal, bay leaves, and water. Stir well to mix all ingredients.

4. Cook the Beef:

   • Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer until the water has reduced by half and the beef is tender.

5. Add Coconut Milk:

   • Pour in the coconut milk, stirring to combine. Continue to cook until the sauce thickens and the beef is completely tender. The coconut milk should reduce and thicken to a creamy consistency.

6. Finish the Beef:

   • Once the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened, remove the beef pieces from the pot. Gently pound or beat the beef with a mallet to slightly flatten and tenderize further.

7. Fry the Beef:

   • Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the beef pieces until they are golden brown and slightly crispy on the outside. This step adds a delightful texture and flavor to the dish.

8. Serve:

   • Remove the beef from the oil and drain on paper towels. Serve hot, garnished with crispy shallots if desired.

Tips:

• For an extra touch of authenticity, sprinkle fried shallots on top of the finished dish for added crunch and flavor.
• Adjust the palm sugar and salt according to your taste preferences to achieve the perfect balance of sweetness and savory flavors.

Enjoy your homemade Empal Daging Sapi, a savory and aromatic beef dish that embodies the essence of Indonesian cuisine. Bon appétit!