Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon annatto seeds (aka achiote seeds; available at Latin markets)
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 medium Spanish onion (1/2 pound), very roughly chopped
  • 1 (2-ounce) knob peeled ginger (about 4 by 1 1/2 inches), roughly chopped
  • 2 medium garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
  • 2 fresh red Thai chilies, halved lengthwise (including seeds)
  • 1/3 to 1/2 cup Shrimp Paste Soffrito, or well-stirred barrio Fiesta brand spicy ginisang bagoong
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 medium tomato (about 1/2 pound), very roughly chopped
  • 4 cups well-shaken coconut milk
  • 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
  • 5 pounds boneless beef short ribs (excess fat trimmed) or chuck roast, cut into approximately 3-inch pieces
  • 5 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
  • 2 1/4 ounces belacan (a quarter of an 8.8-ounce brick), coarsely crumbled with gloved hands
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 3 tablespoons annatto seeds
  • 1 pound tomatoes, cored and roughly chopped
  • 1 medium Spanish onion (about 3/4 pound), roughly chopped
  • 10 medium garlic cloves, roughly chopped
  • 1 (1-ounce) knob peeled ginger (about 2 by 1/2 inches), roughly chopped
  • 10 fresh red Thai chilies, stemmed and roughly chopped (including seeds)
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons turmeric powder
  • 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • Garlic-chili vinegar
  • Thinly sliced cilantro stems
  • unsweetened coconut flakes, toasted

Method

  • Preheat the oven to 400F.
  • Put the belacan on two layers of aluminum foil and fold to make a package.
  • Put it on the oven rack and bake, turning it over once, just until it smells really, really nasty but before your neighbors call the police, about 5 minutes.
  • Set the package aside.
  • Combine the oil and annatto seeds in a large skillet, set it over medium heat, and wait for the seeds to sizzle slightly, about 5 minutes.
  • Strain the bright-red oil, discarding the seeds.
  • Return the oil to the pan, set it over medium heat, and add the tomatoes, onion, garlic, ginger, chilies, and turmeric.
  • Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are very soft, 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Stir in the toasted belacan and cook for 5 minutes more to infuse the mixture with its flavor.
  • Let the mixture cool to warm.
  • Puree the mixture in a blender with the vinegar and sugar until very smooth.
  • Store the soffrito in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 month or in the freezer for up to 6 months.