Ayam Bumbu Arsik: A Savory Indonesian Chicken Dish
Ingredients:
- 500 grams chicken (ayam)
- 2 candlenuts (kemiri)
- 1 thumb-sized piece of turmeric (kunyit)
- 3 cloves garlic (bawang putih)
- 6 shallots (bawang merah)
- 5 red curly chilies (cabe merah keriting) – adjust to taste for spiciness
- 1 tomato (tomat)
- 2 large green chilies (cabe hijau besar), sliced
- Salt (garam) – to taste
- Chicken bouillon powder (kaldu bubuk) – to taste
- Sugar (gula) – to taste
- 2 cups water
- 5 tablespoons cooking oil (minyak goreng)
Instructions:
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Prepare the Chicken: Begin by washing the chicken pieces thoroughly. Place them in a pot with enough water to cover them, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, simmer until the chicken is cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside.
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Blend the Spice Paste: In a blender or using a mortar and pestle, combine the candlenuts, turmeric, garlic, shallots, and red curly chilies. Blend or grind until you achieve a smooth, thick paste.
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Cook the Spice Paste: Heat the cooking oil in a large pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the blended spice paste. Sauté the paste until it becomes fragrant and the oil starts to separate from the paste.
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Add Ingredients: Pour in the 2 cups of water and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Add the cooked chicken pieces to the pan. Season with salt, chicken bouillon powder, and sugar to taste. Stir well to combine all the flavors.
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Incorporate the Tomato and Adjust Seasoning: Dice the tomato and add it to the pan. Continue to simmer until the tomato is softened and the flavors are well-blended. Adjust seasoning as needed.
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Add Green Chilies: Finally, add the sliced green chilies to the pan. Cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, allowing the green chilies to infuse their flavor into the dish.
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Serve: Once the dish is cooked and the sauce has thickened slightly, remove from heat. Serve the Ayam Bumbu Arsik hot with steamed rice or as part of a larger Indonesian meal.
Enjoy the rich and aromatic flavors of this traditional Indonesian chicken dish, perfect for a comforting and flavorful meal!
