Clearly tasty broths from a kitchen in Central Java
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian broth of soto is cooked up in distinct versions around the country, from Makassar to Madura. Eaten with rice, the broth, usually with meat and vegetables, is a meal in itself. These recipes are from Central Java.
Soto Daging (Meat Broth) * 600 grams lean beef, diced * 2 cm stalk of greater galangale, bruised * 5 cm cinnamon sticks * 5 kaffir lime leaves * 2 stalks lemon grass, tied, bruised * 5 tbsp sweet soy sauce * 2 liters water * 500 ml coconut milk
To be finely ground: * 6 shallots * 4 cloves garlic * 4 cm turmeric * 5 candlenuts * 5 cm stalk of ginger * 1/2 tsp whole pepper * 1/2 tsp coriander * salt
(Makes 8 servings)
1. Boil beef until tender for 30 minutes, add galangale, cinnamon stick, kaffir lime leaves, lemon grass, sweet soy sauce and coconut milk. Let boil for five minutes. 2. Stir-fry ground spices until fragrant, add into the beef broth. Let simmer for another 10 minutes. 3. Pour soto in a large bowl, add sliced tomatoes, sprinkle with sliced leeks, fried shallots and lime juice. Serve warm.
-- Serve with fried shallots, sliced leeks, sliced tomato and sliced lime.
Soto Lidah (Ox Tongue Soup) * 500 gr cleaned and cooked ox tongue, diced * 200 gr cooked ox lungs or beef, diced * 2 stalks of lemon grass, tied, bruised * 4 salam leaves * 5 tbsp sweet soy sauce * 3 cm greater galangale, bruised * 1/2 tsp cumin powder * 1000 ml beef broth * 500 ml coconut milk
To be finely ground: * 3 cloves garlic * 5 shallots * salt * 1 tsp pepper * 1 tsp coriander (Makes 8 servings)
1. Boil beef broth, add lemon grass, soy sauce, salam leaves, cumin powder and coconut milk. Let boil. 2. Meanwhile, stir-fry finely ground spices until fragrant, add to the broth. Let boil for 10 minutes. 3. Put diced beef and lungs in a serving bowl, add in sliced leeks, eggs, lime juice and sliced tomatoes. Pour in broth and serve warm.
-- Serve with fried shallots, sliced hard-boiled eggs, slices of lime, thinly sliced leeks, sliced tomatoes and rice. (Maria Endah Hutalupi).