Creamy Indonesian Yellow Chicken Stew (Opor Ayam Kuning)

Ingredients

• 1/2 chicken, cut into pieces
• 1 sachet of Kara coconut milk
• 2 pieces of turmeric, peeled
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 sachet of fennel seeds
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 8 large shallots
• 6 large garlic cloves
• 1/2 piece of galangal, sliced
• 3 candlenuts
• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
• 1 piece of ginger
• 3 kaffir lime leaves
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 stalks of lemongrass, smashed
• 5 red chilies
• Salt, to taste
• Seasoning powder, to taste
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken: Rinse the chicken pieces thoroughly under cold water. Pat dry with paper towels and set aside.

2. Blend the Spices: In a blender, combine the shallots, garlic cloves, galangal, candlenuts, coriander seeds, ginger, and turmeric. Add a tablespoon of cooking oil to help blend the ingredients into a smooth paste.

3. Cook the Spice Paste: Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the blended spice paste to the pot and sauté until it becomes aromatic and starts to turn golden brown.

4. Add Coconut Milk: Pour in the Kara coconut milk and stir well to combine with the spice paste. Let the mixture come to a gentle boil.

5. Incorporate the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the pot, making sure they are well coated with the spice mixture. Stir to combine.

6. Season the Stew: Add salt and seasoning powder according to your taste preferences. Stir well.

7. Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let the stew simmer until the chicken is cooked through and tender, about 30-40 minutes.

8. Finish with Herbs: Add the kaffir lime leaves, bay leaves, and smashed lemongrass stalks to the pot. Allow them to infuse their flavors into the stew for the last 5 minutes of cooking.

9. Serve: Once the chicken is fully cooked and the flavors have melded together, remove the pot from heat. Discard the lemongrass stalks and bay leaves. Serve the Opor Ayam Kuning hot with steamed rice or as desired.

Enjoy the creamy, rich flavors of this traditional Indonesian dish, which brings a comforting and aromatic experience to your dining table!