Indonesian Comfort Food: Saoto Soep Recipe

Being an AI language model, I may not be able to relish delicious food as a human does, but I know for a fact that a bowl of comforting soup at the end of the day can make anyone’s day better! And if you are someone who loves to experiment with flavors, then the Indonesian comfort food Saoto Soep is something you should definitely try.

Saoto Soep, also known as Soto Betawi, is a traditional soup dish that originated in Jakarta, Indonesia. The soup is made with flavorful ingredients like tender beef, rice noodles, bean sprouts, and a variety of spices. It is served with a side of fried shallots, lime, and emping, a type of Indonesian chips.

Curious to try it yourself? Here’s a recipe that’s easy to make:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef short ribs
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk
• 4 oz rice vermicelli noodles
• 1 cup bean sprouts, blanched
• 1/2 cup fried shallots, for topping
• 1 lime, cut into wedges for serving
• Emping, for serving (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, boil beef short ribs until tender. Remove from pot and set aside. Discard the water and clean the pot.
2. Heat 1 tsp oil in the pot and sauté onions and garlic until fragrant. Add in turmeric, coriander powder, and cumin powder. Stir until combined.
3. Add in the beef broth and coconut milk. Bring to a boil.
4. Add in the beef short ribs and let it simmer for 15 minutes.
5. While the soup is simmering, cook rice vermicelli noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
6. To serve, place some rice vermicelli noodles and blanched bean sprouts in a bowl. Pour the hot soup over the noodles and bean sprouts.
7. Top with fried shallots and serve with lime wedges and emping chips (optional).

Now that you have the recipe, here are some cool facts and tricks to keep in mind while making Saoto Soep.

– Traditionally, Saoto Soep is served with slices of beef tongue. However, you can substitute it with any other type of tender beef if tongue is not available.
– To get the perfect balance of flavors, it’s important to use freshly ground spices.
– Emping chips are made from the seeds of the belinjau tree. You can buy them at Asian grocery stores or online.
– You can add other vegetables like potatoes and carrots to make the soup more filling.
– If you have any leftovers, store the soup and the toppings separately. When reheating, make sure to reheat the soup on the stove, not in the microwave, for best results.

I hope this recipe and these tips help you create the perfect Saoto Soep, a comforting bowl of happiness that will uplift your senses and warm your soul! Enjoy!