Traditional Javanese Beef

preparation time: 15 minutes
cooking time: 30 minutes
spicy rating: 7/10
serves: 6

- olive oil for deep-frying
- 750 g (1 ½ lb) chuck steak, cut into 2 cm/ ¾ inch cubes
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- 125 ml (4 fl oz) sweet black soy sauce
- 3 tsp chili paste (sambal oelek)
- 250 ml (8 fl oz) coconut milk
- 1 tbs lime juice
- 2 tbs fresh coconut shavings

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan till hot but not smoking. Add beef and deep-fry for 5 minutes or until brown. Remove beef from oil and drain on absorbent kitchen paper.

2. Heat 1 tbs oil in a frying pan over a medium heat, add onion and garlic and stir-fry for 3 minutes or until onion is soft.

3. Stir in sweet black soy sauce, chilli paste (sambal oelek), coconut milk and lime juice and bring to simmering. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes or until mixture thickens slightly.

4. Return beef to pan and cook for 5 minutes longer or until heated through. Sprinkle with coconut shavings and serve.