Indonesian Beef Stew with Sweet Soy Sauce

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) beef, cut into cubes 500g (1.1 lb) beef, cut into cubes
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 shallots, finely chopped 2 shallots, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 3 tablespoons sweet soy sauce (kecap manis) 3 tablespoons sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 cups (470ml) beef broth 2 cups (470ml) beef broth
• 2 bay leaves 2 bay leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped green onions, for garnish Chopped green onions, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 400 kcal / 1674 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 15g, 8g
• Protein: 40g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Add the minced garlic and chopped shallots, and sauté until fragrant.
3. 3.
   Add the beef cubes to the pot and cook until browned on all sides.
4. 4.
   Stir in the ground coriander, cumin, nutmeg, and cloves, and cook for another minute to toast the spices.
5. 5.
   Pour in the sweet soy sauce and tomato paste, and stir to coat the beef evenly.
6. 6.
   Add the beef broth and bay leaves to the pot, and season with salt and pepper.
7. 7.
   Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot.
8. 8.
   Simmer the stew for 2-3 hours, or until the beef is tender and the flavors have melded together.
9. 9.
   Remove the bay leaves before serving.
10. 10.
    Garnish with chopped green onions and serve the Indonesian Beef Stew with steamed rice or crusty bread.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Sweet Soy Sauce (Kecap Manis) — If you can't find sweet soy sauce, you can make a substitute by combining regular soy sauce with brown sugar or molasses. Use 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of brown sugar or molasses for every 3 tablespoons of sweet soy sauce required in the recipe.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra depth of flavor, marinate the beef cubes in the sweet soy sauce and spices for a few hours or overnight before cooking.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a little water and add it to the stew during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
• Serve the stew with a side of pickled vegetables or a fresh cucumber salad to balance the richness of the dish.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated the next day, allowing the flavors to further develop.

Serving advice

Serve the Indonesian Beef Stew with steamed rice or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce. Garnish with chopped green onions for a pop of freshness.

Presentation advice

Present the Indonesian Beef Stew in a deep bowl, allowing the rich sauce to envelop the tender beef. Sprinkle some chopped green onions on top for a vibrant touch.