Rawon: East Javanese Beef Stew with Keluak

Method8 steps · about 2 hr 15 min

1. 1

   Step 1: Blend the shallots (7), garlic (4 cloves), candlenuts (3), commercially processed ready-to-cook keluak flesh (10 g), ginger (2 cm), turmeric (3 cm), lesser galangal (1 cm), coriander seeds (1 tsp), cumin seeds (0.5 tsp), tamarind (0.5 tsp) and shrimp paste (0.5 tsp) into a fine paste.

   Uses 7 shallots, peeled and chopped · 4 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped · 3 candlenuts, chopped · 10 g commercially processed ready-to-cook keluak flesh · 2 cm ginger, peeled and chopped · 3 cm fresh turmeric, peeled and chopped · 1 cm lesser galangal, peeled and chopped · 1 tsp coriander seeds

2. 2

   Step 2: Put the beef and the water (2 litres) in a medium-sized pot and cook on high heat until it boils, then reduce the heat to medium-low.

   Uses 500 g beef brisket or shank, cut into chunks · 2 litres water

3. 3

   Step 3: Using a small frying pan, heat the vegetable oil (2 tbsp) and saute the blended spice paste until fragrant, around 3 minutes.

   Sauté rawon spice paste · 3 minUses 2 tbsp vegetable oil · rawon spice paste

4. 4

   Step 4: Transfer the sauteed spices to the soup.

   Uses beef and simmering broth · sautéed rawon spice paste

5. 5

   Step 5: Add the pepper powder, lemongrass (1), galangal (3 cm) and kaffir lime leaves (3).

   Uses beef broth with fried rawon spices · ¼ tsp white pepper powder · 1 lemongrass, bruised and knotted · 3 cm galangal, peeled and sliced · 3 kaffir lime leaves

6. 6

   Step 6: Add salt (to taste).

   Uses beef-keluak herb soup · Salt to taste

7. 7

   Step 7: Simmer for about 1.5 hours, until the beef is tender.

   Simmer beef · 90 minUses salted beef-keluak soup

8. 8

   Step 8: Serve the rawon with ready sambal terasi, salted duck egg, bean sprouts, fried shallots and kerupuk. Add cooked rice if desired.

   Uses finished tender rawon · Prepared sambal terasi as needed to serve · Prepared salted duck egg as needed to serve · Prepared bean sprouts as needed to serve · Fried shallots as needed to serve · Ready kerupuk crackers as needed to serve · Cooked rice as needed to serve (optional)