Tongseng Kambing: Javanese Spiced Mutton Soup

Method12 steps · about 1 hr 10 min

1. 1

   Step 1: Blend the shallots (6), garlic (3 cloves), roasted candlenuts (3), turmeric (3 cm), ginger (1 cm), white peppercorns (1 tsp) and coriander seeds (1 tsp) into a fine paste.

   Uses 6 shallots, peeled, chopped · 3 cloves garlic, peeled, chopped · 3 roasted candlenuts, chopped · 3 cm fresh turmeric, chopped · 1 cm fresh ginger, chopped · 1 tsp white peppercorn · 1 tsp coriander seeds

2. 2

   Step 2: Put the cooking oil (2 tbsp) in a wok and heat it over a medium flame.

   Uses 2 tbsp cooking oil

3. 3

   Step 3: Add the spice blend and fry until fragrant, around 2 minutes.

   Fry Tongseng spice paste · 2 minUses heated cooking oil · Tongseng spice paste

4. 4

   Step 4: Add the fresh galangal (2 cm), salam leaves (2) and lemongrass (1).

   Uses fried Tongseng spice paste · 2 cm galangal, sliced · 2 salam leaves · 1 lemongrass, bashed, sliced into 5 cm pieces

5. 5

   Step 5: Add the cardamoms (2), cinnamon, cloves (2) and the ground nutmeg (¼ tsp). Fry for 1 minute.

   Fry whole spices · 1 minUses fried paste with galangal, salam and lemongrass · 2 cardamoms · 3 cm cinnamon stick · 2 whole cloves · ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

6. 6

   Step 6: Add the lamb (500 g).

   Uses Tongseng spice-herb base · 500 g lamb or mutton, cut into bite-sized pieces

7. 7

   Step 7: Add the water (1.5 l), mix well.

   Uses mutton with fried spices · 1.5 l water

8. 8

   Step 8: Add the salt (to taste) and the coconut milk (50 ml), and bring it to a boil.

   Uses mutton-spice broth · Salt to taste · 50 ml coconut milk

9. 9

   Step 9: Lower the heat to medium low, and continue cooking for around 40 minutes until the meat is tender. Don’t forget to stir it regularly to avoid the coconut milk breaking apart.

   Simmer mutton · 40 minUses boiling seasoned mutton-coconut soup

10. 10

    Step 10: When the meat is tender, add the sweet soy sauce (2 tbsp), cabbage and spring onion (1), plus the chillies if desired. Cook for another 4 minutes.

    Cook cabbage and finishing vegetables · 4 minUses tender mutton in coconut broth · 2 tbsp sweet soy sauce · 150 g white cabbage, cut into bite-sized pieces · 5 birds eye chillies (optional) · 1 spring onion, chopped

11. 11

    Step 11: Add the chopped tomato and turn off the heat.

    Uses Tongseng with cooked cabbage and spring onion · 1 big firm tomato, slice into bite pieces

12. 12

    Step 12: Transfer the dish into a serving bowl, garnish with fried shallots and acar as the side dish.

    Uses finished Tongseng · Fried shallots for garnish · Ready-made acar, to serve (quantity unspecified)