Sweet Soy Beef Rib Stew with Spiced Eggplant and Tomato

This delightful Indonesian dish, known as Rica Tetelan Sapi Kecap, features tender beef ribs cooked in a rich, aromatic blend of spices, vegetables, and sweet soy sauce. Perfect for a hearty meal, this recipe combines the savory flavors of beef with the sweetness of kecap manis (sweet soy sauce) and the tanginess of tamarind. Follow these steps to create a deliciously satisfying dish that’s sure to impress.

Ingredients

• Beef Ribs (Tetelan Daging Sapi): Thinly sliced
• Tomatoes: 2, cut into wedges
• Eggplant (Terong): 1, cut into chunks
• Celery (Sledri): 2 stalks, chopped

Ground Spices:

• Red Chili Peppers (Cabai Merah Keriting): 7
• Bird’s Eye Chili (Cabai Rawit): 4
• Garlic (Bawang Putih): 3 cloves
• Shallots (Bawang Merah): 5
• Black Pepper (Merca): 1 teaspoon
• Ginger (Jahe): 1-inch piece
• Coriander (Ketumbar): 1 teaspoon
• Turmeric (Kunyit): 1 teaspoon
• Tamarind (Asam Jawa): To taste
• Cloves (Cengkih): 3
• Nutmeg (Pala): 1/4 teaspoon
• Candlenuts (Kemiri): 3
• Cinnamon Stick (Kayu Manis): 1-inch piece
• Salt (Garam): To taste

Additional Ingredients:

• Lemongrass (Serai): 1 stalk, smashed
• Bay Leaves (Daun Salam): 2
• Galangal (Laos): 1-inch piece, smashed
• Sweet Soy Sauce (Kecap Manis): 3 tablespoons
• Fresh Shrimp Paste (Terasi Segar): 1 tablespoon
• Granulated Sugar (Gula Pasir): 1 tablespoon

Instructions

1. Prepare the Beef:

   • Cook the thinly sliced beef ribs in a pot of water until they are tender. Add salt to taste during cooking. Once cooked, drain and set aside.

2. Cook the Spices:

   • In a skillet or wok, heat a small amount of oil over medium heat. Add the ground spices—red chili peppers, bird’s eye chili, garlic, shallots, black pepper, ginger, coriander, turmeric, tamarind, cloves, nutmeg, and candlenuts. Sauté until fragrant and the spices have released their essential oils.

3. Add Aromatics:

   • To the skillet, add the smashed lemongrass, bay leaves, and galangal. Continue to sauté until the mixture is aromatic.

4. Combine with Broth:

   • Pour in the beef broth (the same water used to cook the beef) and bring to a boil.

5. Incorporate the Beef:

   • Add the cooked beef ribs to the pot. Stir to combine.

6. Season the Dish:

   • Stir in the sweet soy sauce, fresh shrimp paste, and sugar. Adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed.

7. Add Vegetables:

   • Add the tomatoes and eggplant chunks to the pot. Allow the mixture to simmer until the vegetables are tender and have absorbed the flavors.

8. Serve:

   • Once everything is well-cooked and the flavors have melded together, the dish is ready to serve. Enjoy this flavorful stew with steamed rice or as a hearty standalone meal.

This Beef Rib Stew in Sweet Soy Sauce brings together the richness of beef with a medley of aromatic spices and vegetables, creating a comforting and flavorful dish that’s perfect for family meals or special occasions.