Makassarese Beef Rib Soup (Sop Konro)

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons oil
• 4 keluak nuts (buah keluak), cracked, flesh extracted (optional)
• 1 ½ kg ( 3 lbs) beef ribs, separated
• 1 tablespoon tamarind pulp
• 2 liters (8 cups) water
• 1 ½ -2 teaspoons salt
• 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon sweet Indonesian soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Crispy Fried Shallots
• 1 lime, cut in wedges
• 1 portion Bird’s eye Chili Sambal

Spice Paste:
• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 4 cloves garlic
• 6 shallots, peeled
• 2 cm ( ¾ in) fresh turmeric root, peeled and sliced, or 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

Preparations:
1. To prepare the Spice Paste, dry-roast the coriander and cumin seeds in a pan over low heat for 3 to 4 minutes until fragrant, then grind them together with the peppercorns and cloves in a spice grinder until fine. Add the garlic, shallots and turmeric root and process to a smooth paste, adding a little of the oil if necessary to keep the mixture turning
2. Heat the oil in a large pot and add the Spice Paste and keluak nuts, if using. Stir-fry over low heat for 3 minutes. Add the beef ribs and stir-fry until they have changed color, about 8 minutes.
3. Mash the tamarind pulp in 60 mL ( ¼ cup) of the water, then squeeze and strain to obtain tamarind juice. Add the juice, remaining water and salt to the pot, then bring to a boil. Cover, lower the heat and simmer until the ribs are very tender, about 1 ½ hours.
4. Stir in the spring onion and soy sauce, then transfer to a serving bowl. Garnish with Crispy Fried Shallots and serve with lime wedges and Bird’s-eye Chili Sambal.

Serves: 4
Preparation time: 15 mins.
Cooking time: 1 ½ - 1 ¾ hours

Recipe by : Periplus