Soto Ayam: Indonesian Chicken Soup Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1/2 kg chicken (ayam), cut into pieces
- 1 large chayote (labu siam), peeled and chopped
- 10 shallots (bawang merah)
- 10 cloves garlic (bawang putih)
- 5 cloves fried garlic (bawang putih goreng) (optional)
- 1 small onion (bawang bombay), sliced
- 1 stalk leek (bawang prei), sliced
- 2 stalks lemongrass (sereh), smashed
- 1 thumb-sized piece ginger (jahe), sliced
- 1 thumb-sized piece galangal (lengkuas), sliced
- 3 kaffir lime leaves (daun jeruk nipis)
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder (kunyit bubuk)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper (lada bubuk)
- Salt and sugar to taste
- Optional seasoning (penyedap), to taste
For Garnishing:
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Shredded cabbage (kol)
- Glass noodles (soun)
- Sweet soy sauce (sambal kecap)
Instructions:
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Prepare the Chicken: Clean the chicken pieces thoroughly, then squeeze lime juice over them. Boil the chicken in water for a few minutes, then discard the first batch of water to remove impurities.
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Prepare the Aromatics: Finely grind or blend the shallots, garlic, ginger, and fried garlic (if using) into a smooth paste. Peel and chop the chayote into bite-sized pieces.
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Cook the Aromatics: Slice the onion and leek. Smash the lemongrass and galangal. Heat a little oil in a pan and sauté the aromatic paste along with the sliced onion, leek, lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves until fragrant.
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Simmer the Soup: Return the chicken to a pot with clean water and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Add the sautéed aromatics and the chopped chayote to the pot. Continue to simmer until the chicken and chayote are tender.
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Season to Taste: Adjust the seasoning with salt, sugar, and optional seasoning (if using) according to your taste.
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Serve: Once the soup is well-flavored and the ingredients are cooked through, serve hot with hard-boiled eggs, shredded cabbage, glass noodles, and a drizzle of sweet soy sauce.
Notes: The chayote is a personal touch for added vegetables, especially for children, and can be omitted if preferred. Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preferences.
Enjoy this comforting and flavorful Soto Ayam, a classic Indonesian chicken soup that is both nourishing and satisfying!
