Tongseng Daging Sapi Manjahhh: A Flavorful Indonesian Beef Stew
Ingredients:
- 1/4 kg beef, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 green chilies
- 2 red chilies
- 5 bird’s eye chilies (known as “cengek” or “cabe domba” in Sunda)
- 2 shallots
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 onion (cut in half, with one half sliced thinly)
- 1 tsp salt (to taste)
- 1 tsp MSG or seasoning powder (to taste)
- 1 tsp sugar (white or brown, to taste)
- Sweet soy sauce (to taste)
- Cooking oil
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Beef:
Begin by washing the beef thoroughly. Cut it into bite-sized pieces according to your preference. Drain and set aside. Next, place the beef in a pot of boiling water and simmer until the meat becomes tender and begins to brown. This process will also help remove excess fat. -
Prepare the Aromatics and Chilies:
While the beef is cooking, slice the shallots, garlic, and onion. Chop the green and red chilies into small pieces. If you prefer less heat, you can adjust the quantity of bird’s eye chilies. -
Cooking the Tongseng:
Once the beef is tender, remove it from the pot and drain it well. Heat some oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the shallots, garlic, and the thinly sliced onion to the hot oil. Sauté until the aromatics turn golden brown and fragrant. -
Combine Ingredients:
Add the drained beef to the pan. Stir in the chopped green chilies, red chilies, and bird’s eye chilies. Season with sugar, salt, and MSG or seasoning powder. Pour in a generous amount of sweet soy sauce according to your taste preference. -
Simmer:
Add enough water to the pan to cover the ingredients. Stir well and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and let the stew simmer until all the flavors meld together and the sauce thickens to your liking. -
Serve:
Once the tongseng is cooked to your desired consistency, remove it from the heat. Serve hot, garnished with additional fresh chilies if desired. Enjoy this flavorful Indonesian beef stew with steamed rice or as a standalone dish.
Notes:
- Adjust the amount of chilies based on your heat preference.
- Feel free to add vegetables like cabbage or carrots for a heartier dish.
- Tongseng is typically enjoyed with a side of rice and can be customized with additional seasonings to suit your taste.
