Samlor Machou Kroeung Sach Ko
A flavorful and tangy Cambodian beef soup, often referred to as 'sour beef soup with kroeung.' It features tender beef in a broth infused with aromatic kroeung (lemongrass paste), tamarind, and vegetables.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 lb Beef brisket or chuck(cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 2 tablespoons Kroeung (lemongrass paste)(store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons Tamarind paste or powder(adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon Fish sauce(plus more to taste)
- 1 tablespoon Knorr chicken powder
- 1 tablespoon Prahok (fermented fish paste)(optional, for deeper flavor)
- 6 cups Water or beef broth
- 5 medium Thai eggplants(cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 medium Bell pepper(any color, cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 cup Long beans or green beans(cut into 2-inch lengths)
- 0.25 cup Holy basil or cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon Salt(to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a large soup pot, combine the beef, kroeung, tamarind paste, fish sauce, chicken powder, and prahok (if using). Add about 1/2 cup of water and stir to coat the beef.
💡 Tip: Ensure the kroeung is evenly distributed. - 2
Place the pot over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is no longer red and has released some of its juices. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
- 3
Add the remaining water or broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 1 hour, or until the beef is tender.
- 4
Add the Thai eggplants, bell pepper, and long beans to the pot. Continue to simmer for another 20-25 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
- 5
Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with more fish sauce, salt, or tamarind paste as needed. The soup should have a balanced sour and savory flavor.
💡 Tip: Adjust sourness with tamarind and saltiness with fish sauce to your preference. - 6
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh holy basil or cilantro.
💡 Tip: Serve hot with steamed rice.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Kroeung can be found in Asian markets or made at home. If making at home, it typically includes lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, garlic, and shallots.
- ✓The sourness can be adjusted by adding more or less tamarind paste.
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can use beef broth instead of water.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add other vegetables like water spinach or tomatoes.
- Substitute chicken or pork for beef.