What’s in that lunch box? Can you share with me?
For a long time, pasta has been the second staple item in our family besides rice. From simpe to complicated dish, pasta equals comfort. I cooked a simple dish for Daily Tiffin: Show Me Your Lunch Box, which was spaghetti with steak. The original recipe is from an Indonesian cookbook (a compilation of pasta recipes with Indonesian flair!) and the steak’s sauce is actually accented with whole black pepper. I didn’t think that it’d be as enjoyable to eat for the whole family since my son can’t stand spicy foods. Just before I made the dish, I decided to marinade steak pieces with Montreal Steak Seasonings from McCormick brand. As a result everyone liked it and my son was happy not to have to eat spicy foods! 
I posted the recipe here because I want to share with my Indonesian friends too. I’d be glad to translate the recipe here for those who wish to try it. Just let me know…
The photo was composed for my husband’s lunchbox the next day
Here is the recipe translated to English:
Spaghetti with Steak
Yields 4 servings
250 gr spaghetti
Shredded Parmesan cheese
400 gr top sirloin steak, slice thinly
Salt and pepper
1-2 tablespoons Montreal Steak Seasoning (McCormick brand)
For the sauce:
1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
50 gr yellow onion, finely diced
3 cloves of garlic, finely diced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
250 gr beef broth
Salt and a pinch or so of sugar
1 teaspoon cornstarch diluted with 1 tablespoon of water
Marinade the steak slices with the seasoning and salt and pepper. Leave for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti according to the package directions. Once cook, drain, let it warm while you cook the steak.
Heat the pan with olive oil/butter, sautee the onions and garlic until soft. Add the steak slices and sautee until the meat changes color.
Add tomato paste, oregano, salt and sugar. Stir to combine. Pour the broth into the pan and let it boil. Lower the heat and cook with low heat until the steak is tender. Add the cornstarch solution and stir until thickened. Take the pan off the heat.
Put the spaghetti in a dish and add steak and sauce on top of it. Sprinkle shredded Parmesan cheese on top of the dish.
Source: adapted from Hidangan Pasta ala Resto book by Sufi S.Y.
Yes please to the recipe!
It looks fab. I’ve just discovered your blog, it’s great!
Hi Jane, thank you for visiting my blog. Bear with me, I’ll post the English version ASAP :)
Comment by Jane — April 17, 2007 @ 3:31 pm
Incredible idea! This is just wonderful. A complete lunch in a box
Thank you for the entry!
You’re welcome!
Comment by Meeta — April 17, 2007 @ 11:00 pm
Liz, lunch boxnya menarik sekali! Aku pikir itu buat Nathaniel.:p. Lucky man!
Psstt…emang itu pake lunchbox nya N…bapaknya bilang, kurang segini mah
Comment by Trish — April 18, 2007 @ 3:51 am
This is a wonderful lunch. I also just read your last post which was beautiful. My Italian grandmother used to make the most delectable pizzelle with anise flavoring.Your version with lemon and vanilla sounds lovely.
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog because now I found yours! I look forward to our future visits.
Yes, me too…
Comment by Susan from Food "Blogga" — April 22, 2007 @ 5:20 am
What a great lunch. I bet all of his co-workers were insanely jealous!
his co-workers are amazed at all kinds of foods he’s bringing to work
Comment by Kristen — April 26, 2007 @ 12:06 pm
You should tell your husband how lucky he is.
My husband gets only peanut butter in this bread for lunch. :O
LOL…ehem, he actually is aware, so he better be nice to me
Comment by tigerfish — April 27, 2007 @ 8:20 pm
Liz, thanks for the recipe! I made it tonight for dinner..very tasty!
glad you liked it!
Comment by Anita — March 3, 2008 @ 9:40 am