Beef so soft and tender it should be close to falling apart, and a sauce that’s so thick and full of flavour makes this Indonesian dish really stand out.

It’s similar to a curry, and can be made with Beef, Chicken, Mutton, Duck or some vegetables. It’s a slow cooked meal, and can be served on it’s own as a complete meal.

To Serve 6
1 Large Onion, Peeled and Quartered
6 Garlic Cloves, Peeled
5cm Ginger, peeled
1 Red Pepper, Deseeded and Chopped
4 Dried Hot Chillies
2tsp Ground Coriander
2tsp Ground Cinnamon
1tsp Ground Cloves
1tsp Turmeric
3tbsp Vegetable Oil
1.1kg Stewing Beef, Cut into Large Chunks
1.7l Coconut Milk
1 Lemon Grass Stalk, bruised
Salt

1. In a food processor, add the Onion, Garlic, Ginger, Red Pepper, Chillies, Coriander, Cinnamon, Cloves and Turmeric, along with a tablespoon of Water. Process until smooth and paste-like.
2. Heat the Oil in a large pan or casserole dish, before adding the Paste that you’ve just made. Cook over a Moderate heat for three to five minutes, stirring constantly.
3. Add the Cubed Beef to the pan, and cook for a further two to three minutes, making sure that the Meat is completely covered by the spice mixture.
4. Pour the Coconut Milk into the Pan, and increase the heat whilst stirring to bring the mixture to the boil, then add a teaspoon of Salt, and the Lemongrass before lowering the heat and simmering gently without the lid, stirring from time to time for two hours.

If the sauce is too thick, add a small amount more of Coconut Milk and Water (mixed together), and if it’s too thin, remove the Beef, and bring the sauce to the boil, stirring frequently.

Photo Courtesy of: Avlxyz