Soto Betawi Beef and Coconut Soup

Soto Betawi comes from the Betawi people of old Jakarta, and it is richer than most Indonesian sotos because the broth is made with coconut milk and sometimes a splash of fresh milk. The spice paste of shallot, garlic, candlenut and turmeric is fried until fragrant before it hits the pot. Street vendors add offal, but brisket alone is excellent. The crackers traditionally used are melinjo nut crackers, found in Asian groceries; shrimp chips are a fine stand-in. Add a squeeze of lime at the table.