Spicy Indonesian Beef Jerky (Dendeng Balado)

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) lean beef, thinly sliced 500g (1.1 lb) lean beef, thinly sliced
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 shallots, finely chopped 2 shallots, finely chopped
• 1 thumb-sized ginger, grated 1 thumb-sized ginger, grated
• 1 stalk of lemongrass, bruised 1 stalk of lemongrass, bruised
• 5 red chilies, thinly sliced 5 red chilies, thinly sliced
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 2 tablespoons lime juice 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt

Nutrition

• Calories: 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat: 10g (Saturated Fat: 3g)
• Carbohydrates: 8g (Sugar: 4g)
• Protein: 32g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, chopped shallots, grated ginger, and bruised lemongrass.
2. 2.
   Add the thinly sliced beef to the bowl and mix well to ensure the beef is coated with the marinade. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
3. 3.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the marinated beef and cook until it is browned and cooked through.
4. 4.
   Add the sliced red chilies, diced tomatoes, lime juice, brown sugar, and salt to the pan. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
5. 5.
   Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for about 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
6. 6.
   Preheat your oven to 80°C (175°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. 7.
   Transfer the beef mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, spreading it out evenly.
8. 8.
   Place the baking sheet in the oven and let the beef dry for 3-4 hours, or until it becomes chewy and jerky-like in texture.
9. 9.
   Once dried, remove the beef from the oven and let it cool completely before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Beef — Choose lean cuts of beef to reduce the fat content in the dish. Slice the beef as thinly as possible to ensure it dries evenly and becomes tender.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of heat, add more red chilies to the sauce.
• If you prefer a sweeter flavor, increase the amount of brown sugar in the sauce.
• To make the jerky spicier, leave the seeds in the red chilies when slicing them.
• Store the dried beef jerky in an airtight container to maintain its freshness.
• Serve the Dendeng Balado with a side of steamed rice to balance out the spiciness.

Serving advice

Serve the Dendeng Balado as a snack or appetizer, or as a main dish with steamed rice. Garnish with fresh cilantro or sliced scallions for added freshness.

Presentation advice

Arrange the dried beef jerky on a platter, garnished with fresh chili slices and lime wedges. This will add a pop of color and enhance the visual appeal of the dish.