Crispy Ayam Geprek with Green Chili and Lemon Basil

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces
• For the Marinade:
  • 8 cloves garlic
  • 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger
  • 1 thumb-sized piece of galangal
  • 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
  • 1 thumb-sized piece of turmeric
• For the Sambal:
  • 200 grams green chili peppers
  • 50 grams bird’s eye chilies (adjust quantity to taste for spiciness)
  • 3 green tomatoes
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 8 shallots
  • 1 tablespoon Royco seasoning (or any seasoning powder)
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
• Additional:
  • Fresh kemangi (lemon basil) leaves, to taste
  • Cooking oil, for frying

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken:

   • Wash the chicken pieces thoroughly and drain.
   • To make the marinade, blend together garlic, ginger, galangal, coriander seeds, and turmeric until smooth.
   • Marinate the chicken pieces with the blended spice paste for about 15 minutes to infuse the flavors.

2. Fry the Chicken:

   • Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
   • Fry the marinated chicken pieces until they are half-cooked and turn golden brown. Remove and set aside.

3. Prepare the Sambal:

   • In the same oil used for frying the chicken, sauté the green chilies, bird’s eye chilies, green tomatoes, garlic, and shallots until they are softened and fragrant.
   • Transfer the sautéed ingredients to a mortar and pestle or blender, and grind into a smooth paste.

4. Cook the Sambal:

   • In a clean pan, heat a bit of fresh oil over medium heat.
   • Fry the sambal paste until it is fully cooked and aromatic. Season with Royco, sugar, and salt. Stir well and cook until the sambal reaches your desired consistency. Avoid overcooking as it may alter the color.

5. Combine and Serve:

   • Using a mortar and pestle or the back of a spoon, gently crush the fried chicken pieces.
   • Coat the crushed chicken with the prepared green sambal.
   • Optionally, mix in fresh kemangi leaves for an added aromatic touch.
   • Serve the ayam geprek sambal hijau kemangi hot and enjoy the burst of spicy and fragrant flavors!

This Indonesian favorite brings a delightful combination of spicy sambal and crispy chicken, making it a perfect dish for those who enjoy bold and flavorful meals.