Soto Betawi // Jakarta Style Beef Soup

Betawi is a Malay language of Batavia (1619 - 1942) which is now Jakarta. The Betawi people is a term to describe the descendant people living in Batavia and recognized as a tribe with its own language and cultures.

One of some popular dishes from Jakarta is Soto Betawi. There are many recipes about this beef soup but I do prefer using the recipe of my auntie. Many people prefer to use coconut milk instead of plain milk for this beef soup. I my self prefer using milk. This soup is normally served with emping or belinjo crackers or bitter nut crackers but trust me, it's still good without it. I shouldn't eat beef at the moment but I craved for this soup. I only eat the broth without the meat. Oh well, telling you the truth, I broke the rule by eating four beef cubes. I hope it'll be fine *finger cross*

Source: My beloved Auntie, Lucia Bintoro

Ingredients:
1/2 kg beef
2 l water
5 cloves garlic -- grind
1-2 cm ginger -- bruised
1-2 cm galangal root -- bruised
3 bay leaves
Plain milk
Salt, sugar and pepper to season
Vegetable oil for sauteing
Condiments
Potato -- sliced, fried
Tomato -- quartered
Cilantro leaves -- sliced
Spring onion -- sliced
Belinjo crackers or bitter nut crackers
Fried shallots
Cucumber pickles

Directions:
Cook the beef until tender and take out from its broth, cube and fry a little bit. Put beef cubes back into its broth

Saute grind garlic until fragrant. Add bruised ginger, bruised galangal root and bay leaves, cook again for a while. Add into the broth, stir and combine well. Add the milk and let simmer, remove from heat

Serving: Place fried potatoes, sliced tomato, beef and ladle soup over. Serve warm with rice and other condiments. Cucumber pickles: seed cucumber, slice and add chilies (optional) salt, sugar and vinegar. Let stand before serving

Another Style of Indonesian Soups:
Soto Lamongan // Lamongan Style Chicken Soup
Soto Banjar // Banjarese Chicken Soup
Soto Ayam // Indonesian Chicken Soup
Soto Daging // Indonesian Beef Soup
Soto Ayam Madura // Madurese Chicken Soup