Spicy Tamarind Beef Bone Soup with Starfruit and Chilies

Ingredients

• Beef bones, as needed
• Rice-washing water (or plain water)
• Salt, to taste
• 2 stalks of lemongrass
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 small piece of turmeric, crushed
• 1 small piece of ginger, crushed
• 1 small piece of galangal, crushed
• 3 starfruit (belimbing wuluh)
• 2 red chilies
• 1 green chili
• Thai bird chilies (to taste)
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 3 shallots, coarsely sliced
• 1/2 small onion, coarsely sliced
• 2 sprigs of basil leaves

Instructions

1. Prepare the Beef Bones:

   • Begin by boiling the beef bones in water from washing rice, or use plain water if preferred. Add salt to taste.

2. Add the Aromatics and Spices:

   • Incorporate the lemongrass, bay leaves, ginger, turmeric, galangal, garlic, shallots, onion, red chilies, green chili, Thai bird chilies, and starfruit into the pot. Stir gently to combine.

3. Simmer the Soup:

   • Allow the soup to come to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and cover the pot. Let it simmer until the meat on the bones becomes tender.

4. Finish and Serve:

   • Once the beef is tender, remove the pot from heat. Serve the soup hot with chunks of lontong (rice cake) and garnish with fresh tomato slices.

Enjoy the rich and spicy flavors of this traditional Indonesian beef bone soup!