Semur Daging Kecap (Pressure Cooker or Stove Top)

Ingredients

• 1 kg beef (you can use chuck, round, rump)
• 2 Tbsp butter, melted
• Water (see instruction for the amount)
• 50 gr bean thread noodles (optional)
• 8 shallots (thinly sliced)
• 5 cloves garlic (peeled and finely chopped)
• 1 inch fresh ginger
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 Tbsp kecap manis
• 1 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp coconut sugar (or more to taste)
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg powder
• 2 large potatoes (peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks)
• 2 large tomatoes (quartered)
• Fried crispy shallots
• Chinese celery leaves (finely chopped)

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Grind the aromatics: ---

2. 2

   Place ingredients for aromatics in food processor and grind into fine pieces or a paste

3. 3

   --- Cooking with pressure cooker: ---

4. 4

   Melt the butter in an inner pot of Instant Pot pressure cooker. Add in ground aromatics and stir fry for about 5 minutes.

5. 5

   Add the beef, herb, tomatoes, spices, and seasonings. Pour in the 1/4 cup of water (yes, I know that sounds like not much at all). Stir to mix. Not much liquid is lost and you'll be surprised by how much liquid you ended up with later. Scrape the bottom of the pot to make sure nothing is stuck there

6. 6

   Cover the lid. Turn the steam release valve to "sealing". Set timer to 20 minutes and make sure it's on "high pressure". Wait 10 minutes and then release pressure completely after that. Unlock the lid. Add the potatoes and turn on the saute mode. Let the potatoes cook until they are fork-tender but not mushy, about 5 minutes or so.

7. 7

   Have a taste and season with salt if needed. It should be savory and slightly sweet. Proceed to serving

8. 8

   --- Cooking on the stove: ---

9. 9

   Melt the butter in a large pot. Add in ground aromatics, nutmeg and bay leaves. Stir fry until fragrant. Add the beef and seasonings. Pour in the 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil and lower the heat and slowly simmer for about 45 minutes to 1 hour or until the meat is tender. Add the potatoes and tomatoes after 30 minutes of cooking. Gently stir everything to mix. Have a taste and season with salt if needed. It should be slightly sweet from the sweet soy sauce

10. 10

    --- When ready to serve: ---

11. 11

    If using cellophane noodles, blanch the cellophane noodles in boiling water, it just take few seconds to soften. Portion into individual bowl and portion out the beef and potatoes over each bowl. Laddle the hot broth over the noodles. Garnish with fried shallot crisp and celery leaves. Drizzle with some kecap manis and you are good to go. Or just serve this with rice on the side