Creamy Indonesian Opor Ayam with Tofu

Opor Ayam with Tahu Recipe

Ingredients:

• 5 pieces of chicken thighs
• 4 blocks of firm tofu
• 1 stalk of lemongrass, bruised
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 kaffir lime leaves
• 1 lime, juiced
• 65 ml instant coconut milk (Kara brand used here)
• 500 ml chicken broth (from boiling the chicken)
• 5 red bird’s eye chilies (adjust to taste for heat)
• Fried shallots, for garnish
• Salt, sugar, and seasoning to taste

Spice Paste:

• 6 shallots
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1 cm galangal
• 1 cm ginger
• 2 cm turmeric
• 3 candlenuts
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken:

   • Wash the chicken thighs thoroughly. Squeeze the lime juice over the chicken and let it marinate for a few minutes. Rinse again to remove excess lime juice.

2. Cook the Chicken:

   • Boil the chicken thighs until cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pot, and measure out 500 ml of the broth (add more if you prefer more soup).

3. Prepare the Tofu:

   • Cut the tofu into cubes and set aside.

4. Make the Spice Paste:

   • Blend together the shallots, garlic, galangal, ginger, turmeric, and candlenuts until smooth.

5. Cook the Spice Paste:

   • Heat some oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the blended spice paste and sauté until fragrant.

6. Add Aromatics:

   • Add the bruised lemongrass, bay leaves, and kaffir lime leaves to the pan. Stir to combine.

7. Combine Ingredients:

   • Add the chicken thighs and tofu to the pan. Stir well to coat with the spice paste. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil.

8. Season and Simmer:

   • Add the red bird’s eye chilies (whole) to the pan. Season with salt, sugar, and seasoning to taste. Reduce the heat and let it simmer until the flavors meld.

9. Add Coconut Milk:

   • Pour in the instant coconut milk, stirring gently to incorporate. Keep the heat low to avoid curdling the coconut milk.

10. Finish Cooking:

    • Continue simmering until the chicken is tender and fully cooked. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

11. Serve:

    • Garnish with fried shallots before serving. Enjoy your Opor Ayam with Tahu hot with steamed rice.

This rich and aromatic dish combines tender chicken and tofu in a creamy coconut sauce, making it a comforting and delicious meal.