WTSIM... Indonesia : Beef Krengsengan / Beef Sweet Soy Sautee

" Halo, apa kabar ? "

That how we Indonesian say, " Hi, how are you ? "

I'm feeling a little bit unconfident to submit on this event since I'm not an active English speaker. Otherwise, I'm feeling exited for participating on this event, when I heard this month's theme for 'Waiter There Something In My...' was Indonesia. I thought I must tried to wrote something about my country and let people in other countries know more about it.

Do you know Indonesia? I am quite afraid there are many people from other nations don't know about - or even have heard about- this country. But if I'm asking you, do you know Bali ? Yes, I will absolutely hear something nice about it since it is one of most popular place on earth. But have you already known that Bali is a part of Indonesia ? I would be so glad if you already know it.

Talking about Indonesia is talking about many cultures ( our country also called with A Thousand Islands Nation ). And many cultures mean many kind of culinaries. Oh yes, we are rich of its.

Actually, I got confused of what dish I am going to write for this event, because there are a lot lot lot super duper lucious Indonesian foods I love ( you wouldn't imagine how many are they. More than Nasi Goreng or Beef Rendang ! ) But I had choosen one for you. One of popular food in the city I live.

I live at Surabaya. A capital city of East Java Province. One of others big provinces in this country. If you were here, you may find Rawon ( Beef Black Stew ) and Rujak Cingur ( Cooked mix vegetables and raw fruits served with buffalo mouth and black sauce) that were being iconic foods in Surabaya. You may find them every where, from the street vendors to fivestar hotel's restaurants. But I won't write about one of them cause I think it will be difficult for you to find specific ingredients needed -which could only found in Indonesia- to cook them. But Surabaya has one more popular food that I thought I could share it for all people over other nations, so they would able to try this in their own kitchen, no matter where they lived ( sounds quite optimistic, ha ha ). It called Beef Krengsengan or Beef Sweet Soy Sautee ( Beef Cooked with Sweet Soy Sauce ). Sometimes it also use Lamb / Mutton and called Mutton Krengsengan.

Like others recipe has, this recipe also has many versions. Some people add Petis or Shrimp Paste and other don't. But generally, it has similar serving appearance and also similar taste and fragrant for every version. And each version has it own characteristic. The one I had is the simplest one. This recipe belongs to my mother and it has been simplified by me. Hope this won't change the originality of the dish.

Beef Krengsengan / Beef Sweet Soy Sautee


250 grms meat, cut it into small pieces
4 cloves shallots, diced
3 cloves garlics, diced
1 big onion, diced
2 red chillies, diced
1 1/2 tbs ginger root, peeled and minced or grated
about 4 - 6 tablespoon sweet soy sauce
a pinch of pepper *I used black pepper*
fresh grated nutmeg, added as you wish
salt and a bit of sugar as you wish

Directions :
- Saute diced onions, shallots, garlics, chillies, and grated ginger until faded and fragrant. Remove from heat then finely process them with food processor or dry mill. Add a bit of water if needed to make them refined easily.
- Saute them again until water decreased. Add meat, and stir until its color changed then add about a cup of water or more. Cook thorougly until meat got soften/ tender and the stew got thickened.
- Add salt, pepper, grated nutmeg and sweet soy sauce, stir them again until well mixed. You may add a cube of beef seasoning if you wish. Remove from heat and sprinkled with bawang goreng ( crisp fried shallots ).
- Serve with warm rice, cucumber and carrot pickles, and krupuk ( prawn crackers ).

I hope the dish could represents one of many Indonesian foods. It looks like beef rendang, though, but it has different taste and ingredients. Also much easier than beef rendang that I cannot made it myself untill now.

Thanks to Andrew for choosing my Country as the theme this month. I really apreciate it !

" Terima Kasih ! " ( Thank you ! )

*I feel so sorry if there any incorrect spell, grammar or structure since I have a limited English speaking ability :D*