Batavian Beef Ribs Soup

a.k.a. Soto Tangkar Betawi

Ingredients:
* 400 gram beef ribs
* 1 kg brisket ( this portion enough for 3 westerners)
* 2 pcs bay leaves
* 3 stalks of lemon grass - pounded, tie together into a knot, then dump into the pot
* 3 cm fresh galangal - roast in naked flame until fragrant
* 2 cm fresh ginger, sliced
* 3 pcs kaffir lime leaves
* 250 ml coconut milk
* 500 gr potatoe - cubed
* 4 cm cinnamon stick

Ground spices:
* 12 pcs shallots
* 7 pcs garlic
* 5 pcs red chilis
* 8 pcs candlenuts - roast in naked flame till fragrant
* 1 tbs coriander powder
* 1 tsp cumin powder
* 1 tsp white pepper powder

(all ground smoothly, then stir fry in cooking oil until fragrant)

Cooking Direction:
1.) Boil water with lemon grass, roast galangal, bay leaves in a pot and cook ribs + brisket until tender. This should take a while. So in the mean time you can shallow fry cubed potatoes until golden brown and set aside
2.) When ribs & beef are tender enough, mix in the stir fried ground spices, kaffir lime leaves and cinnamon stick. Add salt, pepper if needed
3.) Serve steaming hot. Place cubef potatoes first, then the ribs & soup. Sprinkle with chopped spring onions, chopped tomatoes and fried shallot or bawang goreng. Oh, heaven!!!!

** Recipe source from Femina Online