Spicy Indonesian Scrambled Eggs with Shallots and Chilies

Orak-Arik Telur Bawang Pedas

Indulge in a delightful twist on scrambled eggs with this spicy and flavorful Indonesian dish known as Orak-Arik Telur Bawang Pedas. Combining the rich, savory notes of traditional scrambled eggs with the bold flavors of aromatic spices, this dish offers a taste of Indonesian culinary prowess right in your own kitchen. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a hearty snack, this recipe brings together simple ingredients to create an unforgettable meal.

Ingredients:

• 4-5 large eggs
• 20 shallots
• 3 cloves garlic
• 12 red bird’s eye chilies
• 5 green bird’s eye chilies
• 1/2 tomato
• 1/2 packet shrimp paste (trasi)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon chicken stock powder
• 1 stalk green onion
• 1 tablespoon sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
• Cooking oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Eggs: Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a skillet over medium heat. Crack the eggs into the skillet, one at a time, allowing them to fry until they are about half cooked. Gently stir the eggs to scramble them, cooking until they are fully set. Once cooked, transfer the eggs to a plate and set aside.

2. Prepare the Aromatics: Slice the shallots, garlic, red bird’s eye chilies, green bird’s eye chilies, and tomato as shown in the accompanying image.

3. Cook the Aromatics: In the same skillet, add a bit more cooking oil if needed, and sauté the sliced shallots over medium heat until they become fragrant and translucent.

4. Add Shrimp Paste and Chilies: Stir in the shrimp paste, continuing to cook and stir until it is well combined with the shallots. Add the sliced chilies and tomato to the skillet, and cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture becomes aromatic and the tomatoes start to soften.

5. Season the Mixture: Sprinkle in the salt and chicken stock powder, stirring well to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed.

6. Combine with Eggs: Return the cooked eggs to the skillet, gently stirring to mix them with the aromatic mixture. Allow everything to cook together for a few minutes, letting the flavors meld.

7. Finish with Sweet Soy Sauce and Green Onion: Add the sweet soy sauce and chopped green onions, stirring to combine thoroughly. Once the eggs are well-coated with the spices and the mixture is evenly distributed, turn off the heat.

8. Serve: Your Orak-Arik Telur Bawang Pedas is now ready to be served. Enjoy it hot, either on its own or with a side of rice for a complete meal.

This recipe delivers a burst of flavors with each bite, blending the richness of eggs with the heat of chilies and the depth of shrimp paste. It’s a wonderful example of how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly special. Enjoy your culinary adventure with this delightful Indonesian favorite!