Indulge in the rich flavors of Indonesia with our Soto Betawi. This traditional dish features tender beef or savory beef offal simmered in a creamy white coconut milk or cow milk broth. Served with fried potato, juicy tomato, fresh green onion, crispy fried shallots, spicy sambal, and crunchy emping crackers, this dish offers a symphony of textures and tastes that will transport you to the bustling streets of Jakarta.

Here's a recipe for Soto Betawi, a traditional Indonesian dish:

Ingredients:

  - 500g beef or beef offal (such as tripe, lungs, or intestines), sliced thinly

  - 1 liter coconut milk or cow milk

  - 2 potatoes, peeled and diced

  - 2 tomatoes, chopped

  - 4 green onions, chopped

  - 4 tablespoons fried shallots

  - Sambal, to taste

  - Emping crackers, for serving

  - 2 tablespoons cooking oil

  - Salt and pepper, to taste

Spice Paste (Bumbu):

  - 6 shallots

  - 4 garlic cloves

  - 2 candlenuts

  - 1 inch galangal, sliced

  - 1 inch ginger, sliced

  - 2 teaspoons coriander seeds

  - 1 teaspoon cumin seeds

  - 3 cloves

  - 3 cardamom pods

  - 1 teaspoon turmeric powder

  - 2 lemongrass stalks, white part only, sliced

Instructions:

1- Prepare the Spice Paste (Bumbu): Grind all the spice paste ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth.

2- Cook the Beef or Offal: Heat the cooking oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the spice paste and sauté until fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.

3- Add the Meat: Add the sliced beef or beef offal to the pot and stir-fry for another 5 minutes, ensuring the meat is coated with the spice paste.

4- Add the Liquid: Pour in the coconut milk or cow milk and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer gently for about 1-2 hours, or until the meat is tender and the flavors have melded.

5- Fry the Potatoes: While the meat is cooking, fry the diced potatoes in a separate pan until golden brown and cooked through. Set aside.

6- Serve: To serve, ladle the Soto Betawi into bowls. Top with fried potatoes, chopped tomatoes, green onions, fried shallots, and sambal. Serve with emping crackers on the side. Enjoy hot!

Nutritional Values :

Here's an approximate nutritional breakdown for the main ingredients in Soto Betawi:

Beef or Beef Offal (500g):

 - Calories: 850 kcal (depending on the cut)

 - Fat: 70g

 - Carbohydrates: 0g

 - Protein: 60g

Benefits: Beef and beef offal are rich in high-quality protein, iron, zinc, and vitamin B12, which are essential for muscle health, immune function, and red blood cell production. Offal is particularly nutrient-dense, containing additional vitamins like A, D, E, and K.

Coconut Milk or Cow Milk (1 liter):

 - Calories: 600-1000 kcal (coconut milk) / ~600 kcal (whole cow's milk)

 - Fat: 60-100g (coconut milk) / ~32g (whole cow's milk)

 - Carbohydrates: 12-16g (coconut milk) / ~48g (whole cow's milk)

 - Protein: 6-8g (coconut milk) / ~32g (whole cow's milk)

Benefits: Coconut milk is rich in healthy fats, particularly medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which provide a quick energy source and may support weight loss. Cow's milk is an excellent source of calcium and vitamin D, crucial for bone health.

Potatoes (2 medium):

 - Calories: 310 kcal

 - Fat: 0.3g

 - Carbohydrates: 70g

 - Protein: 8g

Benefits: Potatoes are a good source of carbohydrates for energy and provide fiber, potassium, and vitamin C, supporting digestive health and immune function.

Tomatoes (2 medium):

 - Calories: 44 kcal

 - Fat: 0.6g

 - Carbohydrates: 10g

 - Protein: 2g

Benefits: Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that helps protect against heart disease and certain cancers. They also provide vitamin C, potassium, and folate.

Green Onions (4 stalks):

 - Calories: 20 kcal

 - Fat: 0.2g

 - Carbohydrates: 4g

 - Protein: 1g

Benefits: Green onions are low in calories but rich in vitamins A and C, which support immune health and vision.

Fried Shallots (4 tablespoons):

 - Calories: 80 kcal

 - Fat: 5g

 - Carbohydrates: 7g

 - Protein: 1g

Benefits: Fried shallots add flavor and texture while providing small amounts of fiber and vitamin C.

Sambal (to taste):

 - Calories: Varies depending on type; usually around ~10-20 kcal per tablespoon

 - Fat: 1g

 - Carbohydrates: 2g

 - Protein: 0.5g

Benefits: Sambal is rich in capsaicin from chilies, which can boost metabolism and provide anti-inflammatory benefits.

Emping Crackers (for serving):

 - Calories: 100 kcal per serving

 - Fat: 6g

 - Carbohydrates: 10g

 - Protein:1g

Benefits: Emping crackers provide a crunchy texture and are made from melinjo nuts, which contain antioxidants and protein.

Cooking Oil (2 tablespoons):

 - Calories: 240 kcal

 - Fat: 28g

 - Carbohydrates: 0g

 - Protein: 0g

Benefits: Cooking oil adds healthy fats, depending on the type used, and helps with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.

Spice Paste (Bumbu):

Shallots (6 pieces):

 - Calories: 36 kcal

 - Fat: 0g

 - Carbohydrates: 9g

 - Protein: 1g

Benefits: Rich in antioxidants and support heart health.

Garlic (4 cloves):

 - Calories: 18 kcal

 - Fat: 0g

 - Carbohydrates: 4g

 - Protein: 1g

Benefits: Supports immune function and heart health.

Candlenuts (2 pieces):

 - Calories: 70 kcal

 - Fat: 7g

 - Carbohydrates: 2g

 - Protein: 1g

Benefits: Provides healthy fats and adds a creamy texture to the paste.

Galangal (1 inch):

 - Calories: 2 kcal

 - Fat: 0g

 - Carbohydrates: 0.5g

 - Protein: 0g

Benefits: Similar to ginger, with additional antibacterial properties.

Ginger (1 inch):

 - Calories: 5 kcal

 - Fat: 0g

 - Carbohydrates: 1g

 - Protein: 0.1g

Benefits: Supports digestion and reduces inflammation.

Coriander Seeds (2 teaspoons):

 - Calories: 12 kcal

 - Fat: 0.6g

 - Carbohydrates: 2g

 - Protein: 0.6g

Benefits: Aids digestion and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Cumin Seeds (1 teaspoon):

 - Calories: 8 kcal

 - Fat: 0.5g

 - Carbohydrates: 1g

 - Protein: 0.3g

Benefits: Promotes digestion and has antibacterial properties.

Cloves (3 pieces):

 - Calories: 6 kcal

 - Fat: 0g

 - Carbohydrates: 1g

 - Protein: 0g

Benefits: High in antioxidants and supports dental health.

Cardamom Pods (3 pieces):

 - Calories: 6 kcal

 - Fat: 0.2g

 - Carbohydrates: 1g

 - Protein: 0.2g

Benefits: Supports digestive health and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Turmeric Powder (1 teaspoon):

 - Calories: 8 kcal

 - Fat: 0.4g

 - Carbohydrates: 1.4g

 - Protein: 0.3g

Benefits: Contains curcumin, known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Lemongrass (2 stalks):

 - Calories: 10 kcal

 - Fat: 0g

 - Carbohydrates: 2g

 - Protein: 0.2g

Benefits: Aids digestion and has antibacterial properties.

These values are approximate and can vary based on factors such as cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.