Creamy Indonesian Opor Ayam: Traditional Braised Chicken with Coconut

Opor Ayam Nyemek: A Delicious Indonesian Braised Chicken Dish

Ingredients:

• 1 whole kampong chicken (about 3-4 pounds), cut into pieces
• 1 cup fresh coconut milk
• Spice Paste:
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 7 shallots
  • 3-inch piece of turmeric (or 1 teaspoon ground turmeric)
  • 3-inch piece of ginger
  • 2-inch piece of galangal
  • 2 lime leaves
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 2 stalks lemongrass
  • 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
  • 4 candlenuts
  • Palm sugar or brown sugar, to taste
  • Salt, to taste
  • Cooking oil, for sautéing
• Water, as needed

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken:

   • Clean the chicken pieces thoroughly under cold water and drain.

2. Prepare the Spice Paste:

   • Peel and chop the garlic, shallots, turmeric, ginger, and galangal.
   • Toast the coriander seeds in a dry pan until fragrant.
   • Grind all the ingredients for the spice paste (garlic, shallots, turmeric, ginger, galangal, coriander seeds, and candlenuts) into a smooth paste using a mortar and pestle or a food processor.

3. Marinate the Chicken:

   • Rub one tablespoon of the prepared spice paste over the chicken pieces.
   • Allow the chicken to marinate for 5 minutes to absorb the flavors.

4. Cook the Spice Paste:

   • Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat.
   • Sauté the remaining spice paste until fragrant.
   • Add the bay leaves and lime leaves, continuing to sauté for another minute.

5. Braised the Chicken:

   • Add the marinated chicken pieces to the skillet, stirring to coat the chicken evenly with the spice paste.
   • Pour in enough water to just cover the chicken.
   • Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the chicken is half-cooked and the water has reduced slightly.

6. Add Coconut Milk:

   • Pour in the fresh coconut milk and stir well.
   • Continue to simmer until the chicken is tender, the sauce is thickened, and the flavors have melded together.

7. Serve:

   • Transfer the finished Opor Ayam Nyemek to a serving dish.
   • Garnish with fried shallots, if desired, for added flavor and texture.
   • Serve hot with steamed rice or your favorite side dishes.

Enjoy the rich, aromatic flavors of this traditional Indonesian dish that’s sure to impress and satisfy your taste buds!