bakso

Bakso is a popular Indonesian meatball soup that is enjoyed throughout the country as a street food or comfort food dish. It typically consists of flavorful beef or chicken meatballs served in a clear broth with noodles and various toppings. Bakso can be found in many variations across Indonesia, and it is often served with condiments such as chili sauce, soy sauce, and fried shallots.

Here's a basic recipe to make Bakso at home:

Ingredients for meatballs:

- 500 grams ground beef or chicken

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 teaspoon salt

- 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper

- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

- 1 tablespoon tapioca starch or cornstarch

- Ice cubes (optional, for texture)

Ingredients for soup:

- 1 liter beef or chicken broth

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 2 shallots, minced

- 1 teaspoon salt

- 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper

- 1 teaspoon soy sauce

- 1 teaspoon fish sauce (optional, for extra flavor)

- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance the flavors)

Ingredients for serving:

- Cooked noodles (such as egg noodles or rice noodles)

- Boiled eggs, halved

- Fried shallots

- Sambal (chili sauce)

- Soy sauce

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef or chicken with minced garlic, salt, white pepper, baking powder, and tapioca starch. Mix well until the ingredients are evenly incorporated. Optionally, add a few ice cubes to the mixture to improve the texture of the meatballs.

2. With wet hands, shape the meat mixture into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter.

3. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Drop the meatballs into the boiling water and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are cooked through and floating to the surface. Remove the meatballs from the water and set aside.

4. In a separate pot, heat the beef or chicken broth over medium heat. Add minced garlic, shallots, salt, white pepper, soy sauce, fish sauce, and sugar (if using). Allow the soup to simmer for about 10-15 minutes to develop the flavors.

5. To serve, divide the cooked noodles among serving bowls. Ladle the hot soup over the noodles and add a few meatballs to each bowl. Garnish with boiled eggs, fried shallots, and a dollop of sambal. Serve hot with soy sauce on the side for extra flavor.

Enjoy your homemade Bakso! Feel free to customize the recipe by adding other ingredients such as tofu, vegetables, or additional toppings according to your preference.