Dish of Mushroom Tongseng Stew
(click to enlarge)

Mushroom Tongseng Stew


Indonesia, Java   -   Tongseng Jamur

Makes:
Effort:
Sched:
DoAhead:  
2.5 #
***
1.5 hrs
Yes
Tongseng is usually a meat stew, but a large restaurant in Java makes it with Mushrooms - see Comments.

1
1
2
3/4
2
12
10
-----
2
3
3/4
3/4
1
1/2
4
1/2
-----
2
1/4
6
2

#


in

oz
oz
---
oz
cl
in
in
t
t

t
---
T
c
oz
T

Mushrooms (1)
Lemongrass (2)
Makrut Leaves (3)  
Galangal (4)
Red Chili (5)
Cabbage, white
Tomatoes
-- Paste
Shallots
Garlic
Ginger root
Turmeric, fresh
Coriander Seed
Fennel Seed
Peppercorns, blk
Salt
-----------------
Oil
Water
Coconut Milk
Kecap Manis (6)
Bumbu Paste   -   (20 min)
  1. Cut SHALLOT in half lengthwise, peel, and slice thin crosswise.
  2. Crush GARLIC and chop small.
  3. Slice GINGER very thin, cut slices into threads and chop fine.
  4. Slice TURMERIC thin.
  5. Grind all Bumbu Paste items into a smooth paste by whatever means you have.
Prep   -   (35 min)
  1. Cut MUSHROOMS as appropriate to type. For the large Kings, I cut diagonally into long ovals, then cut those lengthwise into 2 to 3 strips depending on size.
  2. Peel tough leaves from LEMON GRASS. Use the bottom 5 inches and crush it.
  3. Bruise MAKRUT LEAVES.
  4. Slice GALANGAL about 1/8 inch thick.
  5. Cap CHILIS, slice in half lengthwise and remove seed mass. Slice crosswise about 1/8 inch wide.
  6. Cut CABBAGE into about 1 inch wedges and cut wedges crosswise into chunks about 1-1/2 inches long.
  7. Scald TOMATOES one minute in boiling water. Quench in cold water, peel and cut into 3/4 inch chunks.
Run   (30 min)
  1. In a sauce pan or wok, heat Oil. Stir in Bumbu Paste, Lemon Grass, Makrut Leaves and Galangal. Fry stirring until fragrant, but no browning, about 2 minutes.
  2. Stir in Water to loosten the paste.
  3. Stir in Mushrooms until coated with the paste.
  4. Shake up Coconut Milk well and stir in. Bring to a simmer and simmer until Mushrooms are tender, 5 to 10 minutes depending on type.
  5. Stir in Cabbage, Chilis, Tomatoes, and Kecap Manis. Cook stirring often until Cabbage is tender.
  6. Fish out Lemongrass and Makrut Leaves. Take off the heat.
  7. Serve hot with Garnish of choice, along with steamed Jasmine Rice.
NOTES:
  1. Mushrooms, Oyster:

      Other Oyster Mushrooms can be used, but I use the large King Trumpet Oyster Mushrooms produced in huge quantity here in California. Available in Asian Markets, I'm sure in other parts of the country as well. For details see our Oyster Mushrooms page.
  2. Lemongrass:

      These tough grass stems are now widely available in North American markets that serve a Southeast Asian community. I've even seen them in some Korean markets. There is no real substitute, but if you can't get it use the zest from the Lime. For details see our Lemongrass page.
  3. Makrut (Kaffir) Lime Leaves:

      These come 2 leaves to a stem, so this recipe needs 1 stem (unless one of the leaves on your stems is quite small). For details see our Makrut Lime page. If you don't have them, grate the zest of a lime.
  4. Galangal

      This board hard relative of ginger imparts a unique flavor to Southeast Asian soups and stews. Fresh is best but frozen is fine. Dried and powdered is not acceptable. If you don't have it, use fresh Ginger Root - not at all the same, but acceptable. For details see our Galangal page.
  5. Chili, Red:

      Around here we all use red Fresno chilis, but Holland Red or similar will work fine. If using other Red Chilis, compensate quantities and coring using your own best judgement on heat. For the photo example all I had was a Red Anaheim Chili, so I used some of that with a touch of Chili Flakes for heat. For details see our Thai Chilis page.
  6. Kecap Manis:

      [Sweet Soy Sauce]   Heinz ABC brand is commonly available in Philippine and other Asian markets, though I prefer Bango brand. Both are made in Indonesia. It can be faked up by mixing 3/4 Blackstrap Molasses and 1/4 Soy Sauce.
  7. Comments:

      I have modified the pattern recipe to make a stew much more like a regular meat tongseng, particularly with more Coconut Milk and adding Cabbage. Tongseng is usually made with Goat, Mutton, or Beef, though sometimes Chicken.
  8. U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove in=inch ar=as required tt=to taste
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