Name: Sweet Sour Beef and Star Fruit Soup
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil; 2 Cloves garlic, chopped; 1 lb (450 gram) of beef chuck, cut to bite sizes; 2 Tablespoons of fresh or frozen minced lemon grass; 1/2 Teaspoon of salt; 1/4 Teaspoon of black pepper; 2 Cups of water; 2 Star fruit, trims the tips of skin on each wedge, sliced and removed seeds; 1 Tablespoon of Knorr tamarind powder; 1 Tablespoon of fish sauce; 2 Tablespoons of sugar; 1 Tomato, sliced; 1/4 lb (125 gram) of Bean sprout; 1 Stalk green onion, chopped; 6 Fresh Saw leaf herb, chopped; A handful of chopped sweet basil, and rice paddy herb; 2 Chopped hot chili pepper or to your taste (option)

Sweet Sour Beef and Star Fruit Soup

Sweet Sour Beef and Star Fruit Soup, a culinary gem from the Khmer Krom ethnic cuisine, combines the delightful flavors of sweet, sour, and spicy with the unique addition of green star fruit. This dish is not only delicious but also easy to prepare, showcasing the vibrant and diverse culinary traditions of the Khmer Krom community.

Star fruit, revered for its sweet juiciness, holds significance beyond its culinary use. In Khmer Krom villages, star fruit is not only a treat for snacks but also finds utility in cooking, medicinal purposes, and food offerings. The star fruit, often associated with symbols of wealth and good health, becomes a key ingredient in this soup, particularly favored during New Year celebrations.

The ingredients for this tantalizing soup include vegetable oil, garlic, beef chuck, lemongrass, salt, black pepper, water, star fruit, Knorr tamarind powder, fish sauce, sugar, tomato, bean sprouts, green onion, saw leaf herb, sweet basil, rice paddy herb, and optional hot chili pepper. The cooking process involves sautéing garlic until brown, removing it, and then stir-frying beef and lemongrass. Water is added to cook the beef until tender, and star fruit is introduced to the soup, providing a burst of freshness.

Seasoning the soup with tamarind powder, fish sauce, and sugar creates a harmonious blend of flavors. Tomatoes and bean sprouts add texture and color to the dish, while a medley of herbs, green onions, roasted garlic, and chili pepper (optional) offer a final burst of aroma and taste. Best enjoyed hot with rice, this Sweet Sour Beef and Star Fruit Soup not only satisfies the taste buds but also showcases the cultural significance of ingredients in Khmer Krom cuisine.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
2 Cloves garlic, chopped
1 lb (450 gram) of beef chuck, cut to bite sizes
2 Tablespoons of fresh or frozen minced lemon grass
1/2 Teaspoon of salt
1/4 Teaspoon of black pepper
2 Cups of water
2 Star fruit, trims the tips of skin on each wedge, sliced and removed seeds
1 Tablespoon of Knorr tamarind powder
1 Tablespoon of fish sauce
2 Tablespoons of sugar
1 Tomato, sliced
1/4 lb (125 gram) of Bean sprout
1 Stalk green onion, chopped
6 Fresh Saw leaf herb, chopped
A handful of chopped sweet basil, and rice paddy herb
2 Chopped hot chili pepper or to your taste (option)

Directions to make Sweet Sour Beef and Star Fruit Soup

Pre-heat a large soup pot with high temperature. When soup pot is hot, add oil and garlic, sauté till garlic turns brown, removed roasted garlic from oil, put it in a small bowl and set a side.
Put beef and lemon grass in with hot oil, stirs well.
Add salt and black pepper.
Put water and cook till beef tender.
Add star fruit to the soup.
Seasoning with tamarind powder, fish sauce and sugar.
Add tomato and bean sprouts, stirs well.
Top with green onion, herbs, roasted garlic and chili pepper.

Serve hot with rice.

Enjoy it