Indonesian Beef in Sweet Soy Sauce (Daging Sapi Masak Kecap)
Ingredients:
- 1 kg beef, cut into pieces
- Enough water to cover the beef
- Salt to taste
- 3 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Tamarind water, to taste
- Sweet soy sauce (kecap manis), to taste
- 3 large shallots
- 2 cloves garlic
- Cooking oil
Instructions:
-
Cook the Beef: Begin by boiling the beef pieces in a pot with enough water to cover them. Cook for at least 30 minutes, or until the beef is tender. Once tender, remove the beef from the pot and set aside.
-
Prepare the Spice Paste: While the beef is cooking, peel and chop the shallots and garlic. Using a mortar and pestle, grind the shallots, garlic, black pepper, nutmeg, and salt into a smooth paste.
-
Sauté the Spices: Heat some cooking oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the ground spice paste and sauté until it becomes fragrant and slightly golden.
-
Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked beef pieces to the pan with the sautéed spice paste. Stir to coat the beef evenly with the spices.
-
Simmer and Flavor: Pour in enough water to cover the beef, then add the white sugar, tamarind water, and sweet soy sauce according to your taste preferences. Stir everything together, and let it simmer for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
-
Serve: Once the beef is well-coated and the sauce has thickened to your liking, remove the pan from heat. Transfer the beef to a serving dish, and it is ready to serve.
This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed rice and is sure to delight anyone who enjoys the rich, savory flavors of Indonesian cuisine. Enjoy!