Get festive with these tasty Ramadan recipes

Semur Daging

If there is a dish that embodies Indonesia’s colonial legacy, Semur Daging is definitely it. Its name alone is derived from the Dutch word smoor or braising. The technique was introduced by the Dutch who then combined it with local spices such as nutmeg and kecap manis (sweet soy sauce). The dish is widely available throughout Java and often served on special occasions.

Serves 4

Prep time 15 minutes

Cook time 1.5 hours

Ingredients

• ½ kg beef brisket, cut into 4cm squares
• 4 tbsp kecap manis (sweet soy sauce)
• 2 pcs of tomatoes, cut into quarters
• 5 cloves peeled garlic
• 5 pcs peeled shallot
• 750 ml water
• Salt to taste
• White pepper to taste
• Fresh grated nutmeg to taste

Method

1. Add the garlic and the red shallot into a mortar and pestle.
2. Use the mortar and pestle to mash the garlic and onion into a fine paste.
3. Heat 3 tablespoon of oil in wok or pot to a medium heat and add in the garlic and shallot paste. Cook until fragrant.
4. Add in the beef brisket, kecap manis, water and the tomatoes with salt and white pepper.
5. Simmer for about 1.5 hours. Add water if needed.
6. When the meat is tender, grate some fresh nutmeg into the stew.
7. Serve in a bowl and sprinkle with fried shallot.

Oseng Jantung Pisang

Banana blossom or banana heart has been traditionally used in South East Asian cooking. The fleshy purple-skinned flower has a fish-meat-like texture and is rich in potassium, vitamins, saponin, flavonoids and fibre. The dish is widely enjoyed throughout the archipelago.

Serves 2

Prep time 15 minutes

Cook time 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 pc banana heart
• 2 pcs thinly sliced shallot
• 2 pcs thinly sliced garlic
• 2 pcs thinly sliced curly chili
• 2 pcs thinly sliced leeks
• Salt to taste
• White pepper to taste

Method

1. Slice the banana heart into big chunks.
2. Heat a pot with water and add 3 table spoons of white vinegar and salt.
3. Add in the banana heart. Cook until tender and set aside.
4. Heat a wok or a frying pan in a high heat.
5. Add in the shallot, garlic, leek, and the curly chili, cook until fragrant.
6. Add in the banana heart and cook on a high heat until the are vegetables wilted. Add water if needed. Season to your liking.

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