Indonesian Sate Padang Beef Skewers (Printable Version)
Tender grilled beef skewers with rich, aromatic Padang-style spiced sauce from West Sumatra.
# What You Need:
→ Beef Skewers
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→ Spice Paste
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→ Sauce
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→ Serving
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# How to Make It:
01 - Combine beef cubes, water, bay leaves, kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, and salt in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 45-60 minutes until tender. Remove beef from broth and reserve the stock for later use.
02 - Blend shallots, garlic, chilies, candlenuts, coriander, cumin, turmeric, ginger, galangal, and white pepper until a smooth paste forms.
03 - Thread cooked beef onto pre-soaked bamboo skewers. Grill over hot charcoal or grill pan for 4-6 minutes, turning and basting lightly with oil, until slightly charred.
04 - Heat oil in a saucepan and sauté the spice paste until fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes. Add 1.7 cups of reserved beef stock, salt, and sugar. Bring to a simmer.
05 - Mix rice flour with a small amount of water to create a slurry. Gradually whisk into the simmering sauce while stirring constantly. Continue cooking for 3-4 minutes until thickened and smooth.
06 - Arrange beef skewers on a serving plate and generously pour hot sauce over them. Garnish with fried shallots and serve with sliced rice cake if desired.
# Expert Tips:
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- The beef becomes impossibly tender after simmering in aromatic broth, then gains a smoky char from the grill that creates layers of flavor in every bite
- That spiced sauce is absolutely addictive—thick, rich, and packed with so many warm spices that you'll want to pour it over everything
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- Soak your bamboo skewers for at least 30 minutes before grilling or they'll burn and disintegrate over the heat
- The sauce continues to thicken as it stands off the heat, so err on the side of slightly thinner when you're cooking it
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- Marinate the boiled beef in half the spice paste for an hour before grilling—it makes such a difference in flavor penetration
- Make double the sauce and freeze half for an incredibly easy weeknight meal later