Homemade Tender Beef Meatballs (Bakso Sapi Kenyal)
Embark on a delightful culinary journey with this recipe for homemade Bakso Sapi Kenyal, a traditional Indonesian beef meatball dish renowned for its tender texture and rich flavor. This dish combines finely minced beef and chicken with a blend of spices and tapioca flour to create succulent meatballs that are perfect in a savory broth or served with noodles. Here’s how you can bring this beloved dish into your kitchen.
Ingredients:
- 350 grams of finely minced beef
- 150 grams of finely minced chicken
- 6 tablespoons tapioca flour
- 1 large egg
- 50 cc ice cubes or frozen chicken broth
For the Spice Mix:
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon fried shallots (bawang goreng)
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
- ½ tablespoon mushroom seasoning (optional)
For the Filling:
- Quail eggs or boiled chicken eggs (optional)
- Crushed tofu with garlic (refer to Tahu Bodo recipe)
- Bird’s eye chilies (cabe rawit) with garlic (optional)
For Garnish:
- Fried shallots
- Chopped green onions (daun bawang)
- Chopped celery
For the Chili Sauce:
- 30 bird’s eye chilies (cabe rawit), boiled
- Salt to taste
- Water as needed
Instructions:
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Prepare the Meat Mixture:
- Combine the finely minced beef and chicken in a food processor. Blend until the mixture is smooth and evenly processed. Set aside.
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Incorporate the Seasonings:
- Add the spices into the food processor: baking soda, fried shallots, salt, ground black pepper, and mushroom seasoning. Blend until well mixed. Add this seasoned mixture to the ground meat.
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Mix the Meatball Dough:
- Incorporate the tapioca flour and egg into the meat mixture. Add the ice cubes or frozen chicken broth. Do not crush the ice cubes; they are used to keep the meat mixture cold and manageable. Mix everything thoroughly by hand, ensuring the ice cubes remain intact and help keep the meat mixture cool.
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Cook the Meatballs:
- Bring a pot of water to a boil. Shape the meat mixture into balls using your hands. You can either form plain meatballs or stuff them with your choice of quail eggs, boiled chicken eggs, or crushed tofu mixed with garlic.
- Gently drop the meatballs into the boiling water. Cook until the meatballs float to the surface and are about 2/3 submerged. This indicates they are fully cooked. Remove from the pot and drain.
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Prepare the Broth:
- For a flavorful broth, use beef bones for simmering or an instant meatball broth seasoning mix. Reheat the cooked meatballs in the prepared broth.
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Make the Chili Sauce:
- Blend or grind the boiled bird’s eye chilies with a pinch of salt. Add a little water to achieve your desired consistency.
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Serve:
- Serve the meatballs in bowls of hot broth. You can add noodles, rice vermicelli (soun), or rice noodles (bihun) as desired. Garnish with fried shallots, chopped green onions, and celery. Offer the chili sauce on the side for those who enjoy an extra kick.
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Enjoy Your Meal:
- Your homemade Bakso Sapi Kenyal is now ready to be enjoyed! Relish the tender meatballs in a warm, flavorful broth and savor the delightful textures and tastes of this Indonesian classic. Selamat Makan!
With this recipe, you’ll be able to create a delectable Indonesian dish that is sure to impress family and friends. Enjoy your cooking adventure and the delicious results!
