Fiery Balinese Ayam Betutu: Spicy Chicken Delight

Ayam Betutu Super Pedas: A Spicy Balinese Chicken Delight

Ayam Betutu is a traditional Balinese dish renowned for its bold flavors and aromatic spices. This “Super Pedas” (super spicy) version is sure to ignite your taste buds and elevate your culinary experience. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 kg chicken (cleaned and cut into pieces)
• Salt, sugar, and seasoning (to taste)
• Water (enough to cover the chicken)
• Cooking oil (for sautéing)

For the Ground Spices:

• 1 tsp coriander seeds
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 6 red bird’s eye chilies
• 1 thumb-sized piece of turmeric
• 2 candlenuts
• 1/2 tsp shrimp paste

For the Sliced Spices:

• 10 shallots
• 6 cloves garlic
• 15 red bird’s eye chilies
• 2 thumb-sized pieces of ginger
• 1 thumb-sized piece of turmeric
• 2 thumb-sized pieces of galangal
• 2 thumb-sized pieces of kencur (aromatic ginger)
• 3 stalks lemongrass

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Spice Mixture: Begin by grinding the coriander seeds, black pepper, red bird’s eye chilies, turmeric, candlenuts, and shrimp paste into a smooth paste. Use a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder for this process.

2. Sauté the Spices: Heat some cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the ground spice paste along with the sliced shallots, garlic, red bird’s eye chilies, ginger, turmeric, galangal, kencur, and lemongrass. Sauté until the spices are fragrant and the oil starts to separate from the mixture.

3. Cook the Chicken: Add the cleaned chicken pieces to the pan. Stir well to coat the chicken evenly with the spice mixture. Season with salt, sugar, and additional seasoning if desired. Mix thoroughly to combine all the ingredients.

4. Add Water: Pour enough water into the pan to fully submerge the chicken. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer gently until the chicken is tender and the flavors have melded together. This process may take approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour.

5. Adjust the Flavor: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. If the dish is too spicy, you can balance it with a bit more sugar or seasoning.

6. Serve: Once the chicken is cooked and the flavors have fully developed, remove from heat. Serve your Ayam Betutu Super Pedas with steamed rice and enjoy this fiery Balinese specialty.

This Ayam Betutu Super Pedas recipe combines a harmonious blend of spices to deliver an unforgettable spicy and savory experience. Ideal for those who love a kick of heat in their meals, this dish brings a touch of Bali to your table. Enjoy your cooking adventure!