Crispy Fried Chicken with Galangal and Coconut Serundeng

Ayam Goreng Serundeng Lengkuas (Fried Chicken with Galangal and Toasted Coconut)

Ingredients:

• 6 pieces of chicken
• 3 fingers of galangal, grated using a coconut grater
• 6 shallots
• 4 cloves of garlic
• 1.5 fingers of ginger
• 1.5 fingers of turmeric
• 2 candlenuts, toasted
• 3 kaffir lime leaves, finely chopped
• 3 bay leaves, finely chopped
• 2 stalks of lemongrass, bruised
• 1 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1 teaspoon of coriander seeds
• Oil for sautéing and frying
• Water as needed
• Sugar and salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Chicken:

   • Clean the chicken pieces thoroughly.
   • Marinate the chicken with salt and the juice of a lime for about 15 minutes.

2. Prepare the Spice Paste:

   • Blend the shallots, garlic, candlenuts, turmeric, and ginger into a smooth paste.

3. Wash the Chicken:

   • After marinating, rinse the chicken pieces again.

4. Sauté the Spice Paste:

   • Heat some oil in a pan.
   • Once hot, sauté the blended spice paste until fragrant.

5. Add Aromatics:

   • Add the finely chopped bay leaves, kaffir lime leaves, and bruised lemongrass to the pan.
   • Sauté until the leaves release their aroma.

6. Incorporate the Galangal:

   • Add the grated galangal to the mixture and sauté for a few more minutes.

7. Cook the Chicken:

   • Add the cleaned chicken pieces to the pan.
   • Pour in enough water to almost cover the chicken (but not entirely submerge it).
   • Add black pepper and coriander seeds.

8. Season and Simmer:

   • Stir the mixture well.
   • Season with sugar and salt to taste.
   • Simmer until the water has reduced significantly and the chicken is cooked through.

9. Separate Chicken and Bumbu:

   • Once the liquid has reduced and the chicken is cooked, turn off the heat.
   • Separate the chicken pieces from the bumbu (spice mixture) using a strainer.

10. Fry the Chicken:

    • Heat oil in a pan for frying.
    • Fry the chicken pieces until golden brown and crispy.
    • Fry the remaining bumbu until it becomes crispy and forms the serundeng (toasted coconut).

11. Serve:

    • Arrange the fried chicken on a serving plate.
    • Sprinkle the crispy serundeng over the top.

Enjoy your delicious Ayam Goreng Serundeng Lengkuas, a delightful Indonesian dish featuring crispy fried chicken with the aromatic flavors of galangal and toasted coconut, perfect for a flavorful meal that is sure to impress your family and friends!