Spicy Indonesian Beef Stew Without Coconut Milk

Tongseng Sapi Without Coconut Milk Recipe

Ingredients:

• 200 grams beef, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 7 cabbage leaves, roughly chopped
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 stalk lemongrass, bruised
• 2 kaffir lime leaves
• 10 bird’s eye chilies (adjust to taste)
• 5 tablespoons sweet soy sauce
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• Water as needed

For the Spice Paste:

• 5 shallots
• 3 cloves garlic
• 3 candlenuts
• 7 bird’s eye chilies
• 1-inch piece turmeric, peeled
• 1-inch piece ginger
• 1 tablespoon palm sugar

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Spice Paste:

   • Begin by blending the shallots, garlic, candlenuts, bird’s eye chilies, turmeric, and ginger into a smooth paste. You can use a mortar and pestle or a food processor for this step.

2. Cook the Spice Paste:

   • In a large pan or wok, heat a small amount of oil over medium heat. Add the prepared spice paste and sauté until fragrant and the paste begins to caramelize slightly, about 5 minutes.

3. Add Aromatics:

   • Add the bruised lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves to the pan. Stir and cook for another 2 minutes to infuse their flavors into the paste.

4. Cook the Beef:

   • Add the beef pieces to the pan, stirring frequently until the meat changes color and is seared on all sides.

5. Simmer the Beef:

   • Pour in enough water to cover the beef. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook until the beef is tender, which should take about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the cut of meat and size of pieces. Add salt and black pepper to taste.

6. Add Vegetables:

   • Once the beef is tender, add the chopped cabbage, diced tomatoes, and bird’s eye chilies. Continue cooking until the cabbage is wilted and the tomatoes are soft, about 10 minutes.

7. Season and Serve:

   • Stir in the sweet soy sauce and adjust seasoning if necessary. Allow the dish to simmer for a few more minutes to blend the flavors. Serve hot, ideally with steamed rice.

This Tongseng Sapi is a savory and spicy Indonesian beef stew with a rich blend of aromatic spices, without the use of coconut milk. Perfect for a hearty meal with a punch of flavor. Enjoy!