Compare the ingredients, cooking time and equipment below to find a dish that fits your plans. Each recipe includes quantities and a step-by-step method.
Preparation takes 20 minutes. Cooking takes 45 minutes. Allow 65 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: beef sirloin or round, thinly sliced, dried red chilies, deseeded and soaked in warm water, vegetable oil, large onion, sliced, cloves garlic, minced. Equipment: Pressure cooker or Instant Pot, Cutting board, Sharp knife, Measuring spoons, Measuring cup, Wooden spoon or spatula, Serving dish.
Kitchen tip: For extra flavor, marinate the beef slices in a mixture of minced garlic, soy sauce, and a pinch of salt for 30 minutes before cooking.
Preparation takes 30 minutes. Cooking takes 180 minutes. Allow 210 minutes in total. Makes 6 servings. Key ingredients: beef chuck, cut into 4 cm cubes, full-fat coconut milk, lemongrass stalks, bruised, garlic, minced, fresh galangal, peeled and sliced. Equipment: large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, medium saucepan with lid, frying pan or wok, wooden spoon, knife, cutting board.
Kitchen tip: For deeper flavor, prepare the spice paste a day ahead and refrigerate to allow flavors to develop.
Preparation takes 20 minutes. Cooking takes 120 minutes. Allow 140 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: beef chuck, cut into 4 cm cubes, vegetable oil, shallots, thinly sliced, garlic, minced, ginger, peeled and thinly sliced. Equipment: large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, wooden spoon, knife, cutting board, measuring spoons, measuring jug.
Kitchen tip: For extra depth, marinate the beef in sweet soy sauce with garlic and coriander for 1 hour before cooking.
Preparation takes 30 minutes. Cooking takes 180 minutes. Allow 210 minutes in total. Makes 6 servings. Key ingredients: bone-in pork shoulder, trimmed, vegetable oil, onion, finely chopped, garlic, minced, Aji Amarillo peppers, seeded and chopped (or substitute mild yellow chilies). Equipment: large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven with lid, baking sheet, medium saucepan, mixing bowl, knife, cutting board, spatula or wooden spoon.
Kitchen tip: Pat the pork shoulder dry before browning to ensure a good sear and develop deeper flavor.
Preparation takes 15 minutes. Cooking takes 25 minutes. Allow 40 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: chicken thighs, vegetable oil, onion, garlic, fresh turmeric root or ground turmeric. Equipment: pressure cooker, large skillet or sauté pan, knife, cutting board, measuring spoons, measuring cup, wooden spoon.
Kitchen tip: To avoid bitterness, remove kaffir lime leaves before serving.
Preparation takes 30 minutes. Cooking takes 150 minutes. Allow 180 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: beef chuck, cut into 5 cm (2 inch) cubes, vegetable oil, onion, finely chopped, garlic, minced, carrots, peeled and cut into 4 cm (1.5 inch) pieces. Equipment: large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, wooden spoon, chef's knife, cutting board, measuring spoons, measuring cup, stove.
Kitchen tip: Brown the beef well in batches to develop deep flavor and prevent steaming.
Preparation takes 40 minutes. Cooking takes 150 minutes. Allow 190 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: beef chuck, cut into 4 cm cubes, coconut milk, lemongrass stalks, bruised and cut into 5 cm pieces, garlic, minced, fresh ginger, grated. Equipment: large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, blender or food processor, steamer basket or bamboo steamer, mixing bowls, knife, cutting board, spoon.
Kitchen tip: For best results, choose beef cuts with good marbling for a tender and juicy rendang.
Preparation takes 10 minutes. Cooking takes 25 minutes. Allow 35 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: squid, garlic, minced, onion, thinly sliced, fresh tomatoes, quartered, bay leaves. Equipment: wok or deep skillet, measuring cups and spoons, knife, cutting board, spatula or wooden spoon.
Kitchen tip: Use fresh squid for the best tenderness; frozen squid can be used but may require shorter cooking time to avoid toughness.
Preparation takes 20 minutes. Cooking takes 35 minutes. Allow 55 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: pork shoulder, cut into 3-4 cm cubes, white vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, minced, bay leaves. Equipment: pressure cooker (electric or stovetop), cutting board, chef's knife, measuring cups and spoons, wooden spoon or heatproof spatula, serving dish.
Kitchen tip: Drying the pork pieces before browning helps develop better caramelization and deeper flavor.
Preparation takes 20 minutes. Cooking takes 40 minutes. Allow 60 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: beef, vegetable oil, onion, garlic, bell pepper. Equipment: pressure cooker, knife, cutting board, measuring cups, wooden spoon.
Kitchen tip: If using dried pigeon peas, soak them overnight and pre-cook until soft before adding to the recipe.
Preparation takes 20 minutes. Cooking takes 45 minutes. Allow 65 minutes in total. Makes 4 servings. Key ingredients: beef chuck, cut into 4 cm cubes, sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 3 cm chunks, vegetable oil, garlic, minced, onion, thinly sliced. Equipment: pressure cooker or electric pressure cooker (Instant Pot), cutting board, chef's knife, wooden spoon, measuring spoons, measuring cup.
Kitchen tip: Brown the beef well to develop richer flavor and color in the stew.