Soto Betawi
Soto Betawi is a delicious Indonesian beef soup that can be made kid-friendly with some adjustments. Here’s a simple recipe that you can try:
Ingredients:
- For the Soup:
- 1 pound beef (like brisket or shank), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 6 cups water
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece of ginger, sliced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (low sodium)
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 stalks of lemongrass, bruised
- 2-3 kaffir lime leaves (optional)
- For the Garnish:
- 2 boiled eggs, halved
- 1 cup bean sprouts, rinsed
- 1 cup cooked rice or rice noodles
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
- Fried shallots (optional)
- Fresh cilantro or green onions for garnish
- Lime wedges
Instructions:
- Prepare the Broth:
- In a large pot, combine the beef and water. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Skim off any foam that forms on the surface.
- Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, ginger, soy sauce, fish sauce (if using), lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves. Simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender.
- Season the Soup:
- Once the beef is tender, taste the broth and add salt and pepper as needed. Remove the lemongrass and lime leaves.
- Prepare the Garnishes:
- While the soup is simmering, prepare the garnishes. Boil the eggs, rinse the bean sprouts, and slice the cucumber.
- Assemble the Soto:
- In a bowl, add a portion of cooked rice or rice noodles.
- Ladle the hot soup with beef over the rice/noodles.
- Top with boiled egg halves, bean sprouts, cucumber slices, and fried shallots if desired.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro or green onions and serve with lime wedges on the side.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Let the kids squeeze lime juice over their soup for added flavor. Enjoy your kid-friendly Soto Betawi!
Tips:
- You can adjust the spiciness by adding less ginger or omitting any chili if your kids prefer milder flavors.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like carrots or potatoes for extra nutrition.
Enjoy cooking with your kids!