Ayam Sambal Balado
Ingredients:
- 1 kg chicken, cut into pieces
- 15 red chilies
- 5 red shallots
- 3 garlic cloves
- 3 candlenuts
- 1 tablespoon turmeric powder
- Salt, to taste
- MSG, to taste
- Sugar, to taste
- Cooking oil
Instructions:
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Prepare the Marinade:
- In a blender or food processor, blend 1 garlic clove and 3 candlenuts into a smooth paste.
- Add a pinch of salt and MSG to the paste, blending to combine.
- Transfer this spice paste into a bowl and mix in the turmeric powder.
- Rub the mixture thoroughly over the chicken pieces. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors penetrate.
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Fry the Chicken:
- Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
- Fry the marinated chicken pieces until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
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Prepare the Balado Sauce:
- Coarsely grind the red chilies, red shallots, and garlic together using a mortar and pestle or a blender.
- Season the mixture with 1 teaspoon of salt, MSG, and sugar.
- Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add the coarsely ground chili mixture to the pan and sauté until it becomes aromatic and the oil starts to separate from the spices.
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Combine and Serve:
- Adjust the seasoning of the balado sauce with additional salt, sugar, and MSG to taste.
- Add the fried chicken pieces into the sauce, stirring to coat the chicken evenly with the sambal balado.
- Continue cooking on low heat until the oil surfaces and the chicken is well coated with the sambal.
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Final Touch:
- Turn off the heat and transfer the chicken to a serving dish.
This vibrant dish of Ayam Sambal Balado brings together the richness of fried chicken with the bold flavors of Indonesian sambal, creating a delightful blend of spicy and savory notes. Enjoy this dish with steamed rice or as a standout main course in any meal.
