Tongseng Ayam for Beginners

Ingredients

• 1/4 chicken, cut into small pieces
• A handful of cabbage
• 3 bay leaves
• 3 kaffir lime leaves
• 1 stalk of lemongrass, bruised
• 1 cm piece of ginger, bruised
• Salt to taste
• Sweet soy sauce
• Small pack of Kara coconut milk

Spice Paste:

• 5 shallots
• 3 garlic cloves
• 3 candlenuts
• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
• 7 bird’s eye chilies
• 1 cm piece of turmeric

Steps

1. Prepare the Chicken:

   • Clean the chicken thoroughly, ensuring all pieces are rinsed well.

2. Make the Spice Paste:

   • Blend the shallots, garlic, candlenuts, coriander seeds, bird’s eye chilies, and turmeric into a fine paste.

3. Cook the Aromatics:

   • Heat a little oil in a pan and sauté the spice paste until it becomes fragrant.
   • Add the ginger, bay leaves, kaffir lime leaves, and bruised lemongrass to the pan. Continue to sauté until the mixture is aromatic and well combined.

4. Combine Ingredients:

   • Pour in some water, sweet soy sauce, and the coconut milk. Stir to combine.
   • Season with salt, and a little sugar if desired, to balance the flavors.

5. Cook the Chicken:

   • Add the chicken pieces to the pan. Ensure they are well coated with the sauce.
   • Simmer the mixture until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and tender.

6. Add the Cabbage:

   • Once the chicken is cooked, add the cabbage to the pan.
   • Continue to cook until the cabbage is tender but still retains a bit of crunch.

7. Serve:

   • Once everything is cooked to perfection, remove from heat.
   • Serve the Tongseng Ayam hot with steamed rice.

Enjoy the savory and aromatic flavors of this traditional Indonesian dish, perfect for beginners looking to explore the rich culinary heritage of Indonesia!