Asem Asem Daging Sapi (Indonesian Beef Sour Soup)
Ingredients:
- 1/4 kg Beef (cut into chunks)
- Carrots (to taste)
- 10 Kaffir lime leaves
- 5 Bay leaves
- 8 Shallots
- 5 Garlic cloves
- 1 Thumb-sized piece of Galangal
- 10 Bird’s eye chilies
- 2 Large green chilies
- 1 Lime (juiced)
- Salt (to taste)
Steps:
-
Prepare the Beef:
Begin by thoroughly washing the beef chunks under cold running water to remove any impurities. -
Make the Spice Paste:
In a blender, combine the shallots, garlic, and a pinch of salt. Add a splash of cooking oil to help blend the mixture smoothly. Blend until you get a fine paste. -
Sauté the Spice Paste:
Heat a little oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the blended spice paste and sauté until it becomes fragrant, releasing its aromatic flavors. -
Add Aromatics:
Add the kaffir lime leaves, bay leaves, and the galangal (smashed lightly to release its flavor). Stir these into the sautéed spice paste until well combined. -
Cook the Beef:
Add the beef chunks to the pot and stir well to coat them with the spice mixture. Pour in enough water to cover the beef. -
Pressure Cook:
Transfer the mixture to a pressure cooker and cook for about 30 minutes, or until the beef is tender. -
Add the Carrots:
Once the beef is tender, add the carrots (sliced as desired) to the pot and let them cook until they are tender but still slightly crisp. -
Finish with Chilies:
Finally, add the large green chili (sliced and deseeded) and the bird’s eye chilies (whole). For a spicier dish, lightly press the bird’s eye chilies to release their heat into the soup. Adjust the seasoning with salt and lime juice to taste. -
Serve and Enjoy:
Serve hot with steamed rice or as a standalone dish. Enjoy the delightful blend of sour, spicy, and aromatic flavors in this traditional Indonesian soup.
Happy cooking! 😘
