Rica-Rica Ayam: Spicy Indonesian Chicken Delight
Ingredients:
- 1/2 chicken, cut into pieces
- Water, as needed
- Palm sugar, to taste
- Salt, to taste
- Chicken bouillon powder, to taste
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 kaffir lime leaf
- 1 stalk lemongrass, bruised
- 5 cm galangal, bruised
For the Spice Paste:
- 5 shallots
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 candlenuts
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
- 5 cm ginger
- 5 cm turmeric
- 10 red chilies
- 6 bird’s eye chilies
Instructions:
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Prepare the Chicken:
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add the chicken pieces. Cook until the chicken is half done. Remove from the pot and set aside. Optionally, fry the partially cooked chicken until it is half crispy.
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Make the Spice Paste:
- Using a food processor or mortar and pestle, grind together the shallots, garlic, candlenuts, black pepper, coriander seeds, ginger, turmeric, red chilies, and bird’s eye chilies until a smooth paste forms.
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Cook the Spice Paste:
- Heat a little oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the spice paste and sauté until fragrant and the oil starts to separate from the paste.
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Combine Ingredients:
- Add palm sugar, salt, and chicken bouillon powder to the pan. Stir well to combine with the spice paste.
- Add the bay leaf, kaffir lime leaf, bruised lemongrass, and bruised galangal. Stir to mix all the ingredients.
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Simmer the Chicken:
- Return the chicken to the pan and pour in enough water to cover the chicken. Bring to a simmer.
- Cook until the chicken is tender and the flavors are well absorbed, stirring occasionally.
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Serve:
- Once the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly, remove from heat. Serve hot and enjoy!
Tips:
- Adjust the amount of chilies according to your spice preference.
- For a richer flavor, you can use coconut milk in place of some of the water.
- Serve with steamed rice for a complete meal.
This Rica-Rica Ayam recipe brings the vibrant and bold flavors of Indonesian cuisine right to your table. Enjoy the spicy kick and aromatic blend of spices that make this dish truly delightful!
