Opor Ayam: A Traditional Indonesian Chicken Stew
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
- 1 1/2 liters thin coconut milk
- 200 ml thick coconut milk (or 1 package of Kara brand)
- 1 stalk lemongrass, bruised
- 2 bay leaves (or pandan leaves, optional)
- 2 kaffir lime leaves
- For the Spice Paste:
- 8 shallots
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 2 segments galangal
- 5 candlenuts
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 tablespoon sugar
Instructions:
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Prepare the Chicken: Clean the chicken thoroughly and cut it into pieces according to your preference.
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Cook the Spice Paste: In a blender or food processor, combine the shallots, garlic, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, galangal, candlenuts, black pepper, salt, and sugar. Blend until you have a smooth paste.
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Sauté the Spice Paste: Heat a little oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the spice paste and cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture becomes fragrant and the oil starts to separate.
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Add Aromatics: Add the bruised lemongrass, bay leaves (or pandan leaves, if using), and kaffir lime leaves to the pot. Stir well to combine with the spice paste.
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Cook the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the pot, stirring to coat them evenly with the spice mixture. Cook until the chicken starts to turn white and is well-coated with the spices.
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Add Thin Coconut Milk: Pour in the thin coconut milk, stirring to mix everything together. Bring to a gentle simmer, and cook until the chicken is fully cooked and tender, about 30-40 minutes.
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Finish with Thick Coconut Milk: Reduce the heat to low and add the thick coconut milk. Stir gently to combine, making sure the mixture does not come to a boil, as this can cause the coconut milk to curdle.
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Final Touches: Allow the opor ayam to simmer for a few more minutes to let the flavors meld together. Once the chicken is tender and the sauce has thickened to your liking, remove the pot from the heat.
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Serve: Transfer the opor ayam to a serving dish. Serve hot with steamed rice or your favorite side dishes.
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Enjoy Your Meal: Your opor ayam is now ready to be enjoyed. Happy cooking!
This rich and aromatic Indonesian chicken stew is perfect for special occasions or a comforting meal at home. Enjoy the blend of spices and creamy coconut milk that makes this dish truly special.
