Rawon (Indonesian Beef Soup)

Prep time: 15 mins
Cooking time: 40 mins
Level of difficulty: 4/5

Ingredients

a) Beef (fatty parts are great) - cut into squares, 3cm x 3cm
b) 1.5 litres water
c) 2 stalks lemongrass, bruised
d) 8 kaffir lime leaves, shredded into small pieces
e) 2 beef cubes
f) 2 teaspoons grounded white pepper
g) Long beans, cut into 3cm length
h) Adequate vegetable oil

To blend:

i) 5 red onions
j) 5 cloves garlic
k) 1 tablespoon grounded coriander
l) 6 blacknuts (buah keluak) - just the kernels (the kernels can be bought at wet markets)
m) 6 red chillies
n) 5 candlenuts
o) 3cm galangal, sliced
p) 3 teaspoons sugar
q) 5 teaspoons salt

Heat up oil in a pot. Fry the blended ingredients and the shredded kaffir lime leaves till fragrant. Add in beef and fry till browned. Pour in water, add grounded white pepper, beef cubes, and cook till beef is tender. Add long beans and let soup boil till long beans, soften. Serve with hot rice, salted eggs, sambal belacan and fried tempeh.