Nyonya Bak Steak/Minced Meat Patties in Gravy is comfort food for those who grew up eating it. Each family have their own way of cooking it but the basic ingredients are the same. This RECIPE is my family’s version. It is best eaten hot and served with hot steamed rice or bread.

Recipe by Mama Ding

Total Time | 1 hr 50 mins

Prep Time | 20 mins + 1 hr marination

Cook Time | 30 mins

Servings : 4 - 6

Ingredients

400 g (14 oz) minced pork
4 pips garlic, peeled and minced
2 big onions, peeled and sliced into rings
2 potatoes, peeled and sliced into rounds (6 mm/1/4 inch thick)
2 tomatoes, sliced into rounds (6 mm/1/4 inch thick)
1 small carrot, peeled and sliced into rounds (6 mm/1/4 inch thick)
240 g (1 1/2 cup) frozen or canned green peas (defrost if using frozen, drain if using canned)
For the minced meat marinade ~
2 tbsp light soy sauce
1/2 tbsp dark soy sauce
1 tsp cinnamon powder
1/2 tsp white pepper powder or to taste
1/2 tsp salt or to taste
1 tbsp sugar or to taste
1 egg, lightly beaten
For the gravy ~
1 cinnamon stick
2 star anise
2 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
2 tbsp worcestershire sauce
2 cups water
2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (slurry)
1/2 tsp salt or to taste
1/4 tsp white pepper powder or to taste
1 tsp sugar or to taste

Method

01 In a large bowl, place all the ingredients for the marinade and mix together. Add the minced pork and stir to mix well. Set aside for at least 1 hour.

After 1 hour, scoop the marinated minced meat and formed into round patties, about 3 cm/1 inch diameter. Roll them into balls then flatten them slightly.

02 Heat enough oil in a wok/pan to pan fry the potato slices. When oil is hot, fry the potatoes until the edges are slightly browned. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Using the same oil, fry the meat patties on medium heat until golden brown. Turn off heat. Remove the meat patties and drain on paper towels.

03 Remove the oil from the wok/pan. Wash and dry your wok/pan.

Heat up 3 tbsp cooking oil in your clean wok/pan. Saute the minced garlic, cinnamon stick, star anise and big onions until fragrant, about 5 mins.

Add the fried sliced potatoes and carrots. Drizzle in the light soy sauce, dark soy sauce and worchestershire sauce. Stir fry for 2 - 3 mins then add water. Bring to the boil.

Add the sliced tomatoes and fried meat patties. Simmer for 5 mins then season with salt, pepper and sugar.

04 Add the cornstarch slurry and bring to the boil again. Taste and adjust seasoning if required.

Add the green peas, stir well then turn off heat.

Dish up and serve hot.

Notes

Bak Steak is usually made with minced pork as the word “bak” means pork. You can replace with minced chicken/lamb/turkey/beef if desired.

It is best to use fresh green peas for this dish. I could not find any so had to substitute with canned peas.

You can also air fry the sliced potatoes and meat patties before cooking them with the gravy in a wok/pan.