Ingredients

  • 700 grams fresh beef shanks/ribs/chuck, cut into large cubes
  • 800 ml pure coconut milk (from 3 mature coconuts)
  • 1500 ml young coconut water
  • 150 grams unpeeled baby potatoes, cut slightly
  • 150 grams red beans, boiled until half-cooked
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 100 grams red chilli peppers (add more if you likel it spicy)
  • 10 clove medium shallots
  • 10 clove garlics
  • 3 cm ginger, peeled
  • 2 cm turmeric, peeled
  • 5 piece candlenuts
  • 1/2 nutmeg
  • 1 tsp coriander seed
  • 1/2 tsp pepper powder
  • 3 turmeric leaves
  • 8 fresh lime leaves
  • 5 Indonesian bay-leaves (daun salam)
  • 3 piece thick lemongrasses white part only, smashed
  • 4 cm galangal, peeled & slightly smashed
  • 3 piece small star anise
  • 1 piece cinnamon stick

Method

  • Blend the Ground-Spice Ingredients together until well combined like a smooth paste.
  • Set aside.
  • Combine pure coconut milk & young coconut water to the nonstick-large-pan.
  • Boil & stir them well in a medium heat.
  • Add the smooth paste of Ground-Spice Ingredients.
  • Stir well to combine and turn into sweet orange coloured liquid.
  • Add all the Leaf & Spice Ingredients.
  • Stir constantly until slightly fragrant.
  • Add salt.
  • Add fresh beef until well combined.
  • Stir well and bring a gentle boil.
  • Once the meat is half-cooked, add baby potatoes & red beans.
  • Stir it well every 15 minutes or so to prevent sticking, until the mixture become thicker, darker & gloriously fragrant.
  • Continue to simmer gently until the liquid has evaporated by about 95%.
  • Reduce the heat to low.
  • Test the meat, it should be perfect enogh when it's fork-tender.
  • Taste the liquid for salt, add a pinch if you need more.
  • Mix them.
  • Turn down the heat
  • Remove all the Leaf & Spice Ingredients.
  • Serves the dish with steamed rice.