People of Indonesia love their culture and they showcase their culture with their food. Whatever they are, they will assemble it in their dining table. There are certain foods or certain ingredients that are more commonly used in Indonesia. People there love spicy food. They use red chilies in abundance. They love to use shrimp paste and peanut butter in most of their dishes. The uses whole peanuts and crushed peanuts, peanut paste in their food. There is a classic peanut dipping sauce, to die for. Check the recipe and try making it yourself. They love tofu and tempeh. You will see the use of these vegetarian items quite often. They also love coconut and coconut milk is used quite often in their curries and desserts. They love to incorporate eggs in their meals too.
They endorse a good healthy eating habit. Therefore, they try to add herbs and spices to their food. Spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, bay leaf, and clove are seen. They are to combine one key ingredient with a minor ingredient to make a dish unique. Often time meat is combined with vegetables to give it a healthy kick.
You will also find their traditional dessert in this book. Try these 30 Indonesian recipes and plunge into their spice world.
Turmeric Beef and Celery Curry
Indo people love their spices. You will see plenty of red chilies in their cooking. Beef do taste better when it is properly spiced. The celery in this dish gives the dish a soft texture.
Serving Size:
Cooking Time: 50 Minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 lb. beef
- 5 shallots, chopped
- 2 small red chilies, chopped
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 tbsp finely grated ginger
- 6 cashew nuts
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tomato, roughly chopped
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 2 tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
Instructions:
Cut the beef into medium pieces.
In a large pan, heat the oil.
Sear the beef for 5 minutes. Add the turmeric, cumin, red chili powder, grated ginger, shallots and mix well.
Cover and cook on high heat for 20 minutes.
Add the red chilies, celery, tomato, soy sauce and mix well.
Cover and cook for another 20 minutes.
Add the cashew nuts on top before serving.
Simple Egg Nasi Goreng
Nasi goreng is one of the most famous dishes out there in Indonesia. This is a simple egg fried rice recipe that anyone can make at home.
Serving Size:
Cooking Time: 35 Minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 lb. rice
- 4 eggs
- 1 cucumber, thinly slices, to serve
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
For the Spice Paste:
- 2 small shallots, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 green chili,
- 1/2 teaspoon shrimp paste
Instructions:
First of all combine all the spice paste ingredients in a blender.
Blend until smooth. Set aside for now.
In a pot add the rice with salted boiling water. Cook for 10 minutes.
Drain well and rinse the rice properly. In a wok heat the oil with medium flame.
Add the minced garlic and toss for 1 minute. Add the spice paste and 2 tbsp of water.
Stir continuously for 1 minute. Add 3 of the eggs and scramble them properly.
Add the cooked rice and toss for 1 minute.
Add the soy sauce, tomato sauce, salt, pepper, and mix well. Stir for 5 minutes and take off the heat. In another pan fry an egg and add on top of the rice. Serve hot with slices cucumber on the side.
Indonesian-style chicken salad
Indonesians love their Chicken salad. The dressing of the dish is light and flavorful, and the crunchiness of the peanuts is something to remember.
Serving Size:
Cooking Time: 25 Minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 sweet potato, cut into wedges
- 2 carrot, cut into thin slices
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves
- cup toasted peanuts
- cup spring onion, sliced
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 2 cucumber, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 tbsp canola oil
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions:
Combine the soy sauce, salt, pepper, brown sugar and coconut oil in a bowl. Mix well and set aside for now.
In a pan, add the canola oil and fry the sweet potato wedges until golden brown. Transfer to a bowl.
Add the chicken breasts and sprinkle some salt and pepper.
Fry for 4 minutes on each side. Transfer to a plate. Cut into slices.
Add to the mixing bowl. Add the cucumber, carrot, spring onion, mint leaves, parsley, and garlic.
Toss well and add the dressing. Add the toasted peanuts and mix well.
Serve fresh.
Cucumber Salad with Grills Chicken