Spicy Indonesian Beef Stew Without Coconut Milk

Tongseng Sapi Tanpa Santan: A Light and Flavorful Beef Stew Without Coconut Milk

Ingredients:

• 250 grams of beef, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 carrot, peeled and sliced
• Shredded cabbage, to taste
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• Spice Paste:
  • 5 small red chilies
  • 5 shallots
  • 3 cloves of garlic
  • A pinch of turmeric
  • A pinch of black pepper
  • A pinch of cumin seeds
  • Salt and sugar, to taste
• 1 stalk of lemongrass, smashed
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 kaffir lime leaves
• 500 ml water
• Seasoning: 2 tablespoons sweet soy sauce
• Instant broth powder, to taste (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook the Beef:

   • In a pot, boil the beef pieces until tender. Set aside.

2. Prepare the Spice Paste:

   • Blend the red chilies, shallots, garlic, turmeric, black pepper, and cumin seeds into a smooth paste.

3. Sauté the Spice Paste:

   • Heat a small amount of oil in a pan. Sauté the spice paste until it becomes fragrant.

4. Combine Aromatics and Tomatoes:

   • Add the smashed lemongrass, bay leaves, kaffir lime leaves, and chopped tomatoes to the pan. Continue to sauté until the tomatoes soften and the mixture is well combined.

5. Add the Beef:

   • Incorporate the cooked beef into the pan and briefly stir-fry to mix with the spice paste.

6. Simmer:

   • Pour in 500 ml of water and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer.

7. Add Vegetables:

   • Add the sliced carrots and shredded cabbage to the pot. Cook until the carrots are tender.

8. Season:

   • Stir in the sweet soy sauce. Adjust the seasoning with salt, sugar, and instant broth powder if needed.

9. Serve:

   • Once the flavors are well blended and the vegetables are cooked to your liking, serve hot.

Enjoy this Tongseng Sapi Tanpa Santan, a rich, aromatic beef stew that’s both hearty and comforting, yet light without the use of coconut milk. Perfect for a satisfying meal with a touch of traditional flavor.