Indonesian Recipes

South Indian cooking is simpler, plainer and leans towards vegetarianism. There are a variety of breads prepared with rice flour and lentil flour. The curries and accompaniments are unique in flavour, but does not have to be hot and spicy.

A typical meal would always consist of a rice dish accompanied by a thin lentil soup called "rasam", a thick lentil dish known as "sambar" along with other vegetable dishes.

Singapore Satay

Pork Satay

Satays are a popular fast food snack in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. They are made of marinated meat strung on bamboo skewers - in this case with a spicy curry flavour. Can be made with chicken or beef as well.

These are easy to make ahead and can be kept in the fridge up to 3 days. They are great barbecued just before serving, or simply grill in the oven. I make this recipe in my Indonesian cooking class and serve it with a peanut sauce.

Singapore Satay

Serves 6-8

Ingredients:

3-4 T oil
1 T. mustard seeds
1/8 tsp. Asafoetida
2 T. channa dhal
1T. Urad dhal (husked)
2 T. peanuts
1 green chilli
1 red chilli
1/4 tsp. turmeric
Juice of 1 large lemon
Fresh grated coconut(optional)
salt

Satay sauce

Ingredients:

6 candlenuts (or almonds, crushed)
6 garlic cloves
1" ginger
4 tbsp tamarind water
2 tbsp. curry powder
1/2 cup salad oil
1/2 cup light soy sauce
4 cloves garlic, minced
2" piece cane sugar, crushed
4 tbsp Kecap Manis (sweet soy sauce)
4-5 small, dried hot chilli peppers
2 tbsp. salad oil
3/4 cup shallots deep fried
Salt to taste

Method

Cut meat into 3/4 inch cubes, set aside.
For the sauce, dissolve cane sugar in 4T water.
Fry first five ingredients in oil. Add remaining ingredients for sauce and then pound them together.
Marinate meat cubes in the sauce overnight or 4 hours or more.
String meat on bamboo skewers and grill meat about 2 inches above a bed of of medium-hot coals, turning frequently. Cook meat until it is browned and done for your liking, about 8-10 minutes.
Arrange on separate platters, skewers and rice squares. Serve with my quick peanut sauce and marinated cucumber.

Quick Peanut Sauce

1/4 cup brown sugar or palm sugar
2 Tbsp. chilli paste
1 cup peanut butter
1 Tbsp. Kecap Manis
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
Water (about 1 cup)

Method:

Combine all ingredients in a small pan, adding sufficient hot water to form a smooth sauce.
Adjust seasonings to taste.

Recipes demonstrated by:

Jini Aroon,
Cooking Instructor/Caterer
Contact Jini for information on these recipes and other services she provides.

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