Rica-Rica Ayam: Spicy Indonesian Chicken Delight
Ingredients:
- 1/2 kg chicken, cut into pieces
- 8 shallots, peeled
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled
- 10 red curly chilies
- 5 bird’s eye chilies
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
- 2 candlenuts
- 1-inch piece of ginger, peeled
- 1-inch piece of turmeric, peeled
- 1-inch piece of galangal, peeled
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 kaffir lime leaves
- Salt, to taste
- Sugar, to taste
- Sweet soy sauce, to taste
- Chicken bouillon powder, to taste
Instructions:
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Prepare the Chicken: Clean the chicken pieces thoroughly and blanch them briefly to remove any residual blood. This step helps in achieving a cleaner taste and a better texture.
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Fry the Chicken: Heat some oil in a frying pan over medium heat and fry the chicken pieces until they are half-cooked. This initial frying helps to seal in the juices and add a layer of flavor to the chicken.
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Prepare the Spice Paste: In a blender or food processor, combine the shallots, garlic, red curly chilies, bird’s eye chilies, ground black pepper, coriander seeds, candlenuts, ginger, turmeric, and galangal. Blend these ingredients into a smooth paste.
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Cook the Spice Paste: In a separate pan, heat some oil over medium heat and sauté the spice paste until it becomes fragrant and the oil starts to separate from the paste. This process releases the essential oils and flavors of the spices.
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Add Aromatics and Chicken: Add the bay leaf and kaffir lime leaves to the pan with the spice paste. Stir for a few seconds to release their aroma, then add the partially cooked chicken pieces to the pan. Pour in enough water to submerge the chicken.
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Season the Dish: Season with salt, sugar, sweet soy sauce, and chicken bouillon powder to taste. Stir well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated with the spices and seasonings.
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Simmer: Allow the chicken to simmer over low heat until the sauce thickens and the flavors are well absorbed. Keep an eye on the liquid level and add more water if necessary to prevent burning.
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Final Adjustments: Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning if needed. Continue to cook until the sauce has reduced to your desired consistency and the chicken is tender and flavorful.
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Serve: Transfer the rica-rica ayam to a serving dish and garnish with fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy this spicy Indonesian chicken with steamed rice or as part of a larger meal.
This rich and aromatic dish captures the essence of Indonesian cuisine with its vibrant flavors and bold spices. Perfect for a hearty dinner or a special occasion, rica-rica ayam is sure to impress and satisfy.
