Kare Ayam (Indonesian Chicken Curry)
Indulge in the rich and aromatic flavors of this traditional Indonesian Kare Ayam, a delightful chicken curry simmered to perfection with fragrant spices and creamy coconut milk. Perfect for a comforting meal, this dish will transport you to the heart of Indonesian cuisine with every bite.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1/4 chicken, cut into pieces
- 3 shallots, thinly sliced and fried until crispy
- 1/2 package of Kara coconut milk (adjust to taste)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 piece of galangal, about 1 inch, bruised
- 3 kaffir lime leaves
- 1 stalk lemongrass, bruised
- Javanese palm sugar, to taste
- Granulated sugar, to taste
Complementary Ingredients:
- 1 carrot, boiled
- 1 potato, thinly sliced and fried
- Sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
- Boiled chilies (for sambal)
Spice Paste:
- 3 garlic cloves
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 inch ginger
- 2 inches turmeric
- 2 candlenuts
- Salt, to taste
- Seasoning powder, to taste
Instructions
1. Prepare the Broth:
- Place the chicken pieces and bay leaves in a pot filled with room temperature water.
- Turn the heat to very low, skim off any impurities that rise to the surface.
- Cook the chicken until you achieve a clear, savory broth, free from any unpleasant odor.
2. Sauté the Spice Paste:
- Blend the garlic, black pepper, ginger, turmeric, candlenuts, salt, and seasoning powder into a smooth paste.
- In a separate pan, sauté the spice paste along with the fried shallots, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, and lemongrass until fragrant and the oil separates from the paste.
- If the mixture becomes too dry, add a little broth to the sauté.
3. Combine and Simmer:
- Transfer the sautéed spice mixture into the chicken broth.
- Add granulated sugar and Javanese palm sugar, then adjust the seasoning to your taste.
- Finally, add the coconut milk, stirring continuously to prevent it from curdling.
- Cook until the chicken is tender and the flavors meld beautifully.
4. Serve:
- Arrange the complementary ingredients (boiled carrot, fried potato slices) over a bed of steamed rice.
- Shred the chicken and place it on top of the rice.
- Pour the rich and creamy curry broth over the chicken and rice.
- Drizzle with sweet soy sauce and add sambal if you like it spicy.
Enjoy this comforting and flavorful Kare Ayam, a true delight for your senses and a wonderful addition to your culinary repertoire.
