Soto Ayam: A Delightful Indonesian Chicken Soup
Soto Ayam is a traditional Indonesian chicken soup, renowned for its fragrant and flavorful broth. This hearty dish combines a blend of aromatic spices and fresh ingredients to create a comforting meal that’s perfect for any occasion. Here’s how you can make this delightful soup at home:
Ingredients
For the Soup:
- 1 kg chicken (ayam)
- 2 bay leaves (daun salam)
- 2 stalks lemongrass (sereh)
- 1 thumb-sized piece of galangal (lengkuas)
- 5 cm cinnamon stick (kayu manis)
- 1 star anise (bunga lawang)
- 2 cardamom pods (kapulaga)
- 10 kaffir lime leaves (daun jeruk)
- 1 stalk green onion (daun bawang)
- 1 tomato (tomat)
For Garnishing:
- Bean sprouts (toge), briefly boiled
- Tomato, diced
- Fresh cilantro (daun seledri)
- Fried shallots (bawang putih goreng)
- Boiled chili paste (sambal rebus): chili + salt
For the Spice Paste (Bumbu Halus):
- 5 cloves garlic (bawang putih)
- 7 shallots (bawang merah)
- 2 candlenuts (kemiri)
- ½ teaspoon cumin (jintan)
- 1 clove (cengkih)
- A pinch of nutmeg (pala)
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper (lada bubuk)
- 1 thumb-sized piece of turmeric (kunyit)
- 2 thumb-sized pieces of ginger (jahe)
Instructions
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Prepare the Chicken:
- Boil the chicken in a pot. Discard the water, then boil the chicken again to extract the broth. Set the chicken aside and keep the broth.
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Prepare the Spice Paste:
- Blend together the garlic, shallots, candlenuts, cumin, clove, nutmeg, black pepper, turmeric, and ginger until smooth.
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Cook the Spice Paste:
- In a pan, sauté the spice paste with cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, star anise, lemongrass, and galangal until fragrant and the paste is cooked through. This step ensures a clear and aromatic broth.
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Combine and Simmer:
- Add the sautéed spice paste to the chicken broth. Season with salt, sugar, and seasoning powder to taste. Allow the mixture to simmer until well-combined.
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Add Vegetables and Finish:
- Add the chopped tomato and green onion to the pot. Let it cook for a few more minutes. Once done, turn off the heat.
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Serve:
- Shred the cooked chicken and place it in serving bowls. Top with boiled bean sprouts, diced tomato, fresh cilantro, and fried shallots. Serve the Soto Ayam with steamed white rice and the boiled chili paste on the side.
Enjoy this comforting Indonesian Soto Ayam with your favorite accompaniments. It’s a warming and satisfying dish that brings a taste of Indonesia right to your table.
