Savory Indonesian Beef Stew with Quail Eggs

Semur Daging Sapi with Quail Eggs

Ingredients:

• 1 kg beef (cut into desired pieces)
• 1/2 kg quail eggs
• For the Spice Paste:
  • 8 candlenuts
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 small piece of nutmeg
  • 8 shallots
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 curly chili pepper
• For the Spice Blend:
  • 1 piece of galangal (bruised)
  • 4 kaffir lime leaves
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 4 stalks green onions (cut into long slices)
• Additional Ingredients:
  • Fried shallots, to taste
  • Sweet soy sauce, to taste
  • Seasoning powder, to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Quail Eggs:

   • Boil the quail eggs until cooked. After boiling, cool them in cold water and peel off the shells. Set the peeled quail eggs aside in a bowl.

2. Prepare the Beef:

   • Rinse the beef pieces quickly under running water, ensuring not to soak them. If you prefer, you can skip rinsing. After rinsing, place the beef in a bowl and coat with sweet soy sauce. Mix thoroughly and let it marinate for 15 minutes.

3. Blend the Spice Paste:

   • While waiting for the beef to marinate, blend or grind the candlenuts, black pepper, nutmeg, shallots, garlic, and curly chili pepper into a smooth paste.

4. Cook the Spice Paste and Spice Blend:

   • Heat a pan and sauté the spice paste and the galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and bay leaves until fragrant and cooked through.

5. Add the Beef:

   • Add the marinated beef pieces to the pan. Stir until the beef releases its juices. Add one packet of seasoning powder and more sweet soy sauce to taste. Mix well.

6. Simmer the Beef:

   • Add enough water to cover the beef. Stir well, then cover the pan. Allow the beef to simmer until tender, checking occasionally to ensure the water does not evaporate completely.

7. Add Quail Eggs:

   • Once the beef is starting to become tender, add the peeled quail eggs to the pan. Continue to simmer until the beef is fully tender and the flavors have melded together. Adjust seasoning if needed, adding more soy sauce or seasoning powder according to your taste.

8. Finish the Dish:

   • Once the beef is tender and the quail eggs are well-integrated with the flavors, stir in the sliced green onions. Give it a final mix, then turn off the heat. Garnish with fried shallots before serving.

Serving Suggestion:

• Serve hot with steamed rice for a comforting and flavorful meal.

Enjoy the rich, savory flavors of this traditional Indonesian dish with tender beef and aromatic spices.