Opor Ayam with Tofu and Egg: A Delightful Indonesian Dish
Opor Ayam is a beloved Indonesian dish that combines tender chicken with rich, flavorful spices and creamy coconut milk. In this version, we include tofu and hard-boiled eggs, adding extra texture and depth to this comforting meal. Here’s how to make this delicious dish from scratch.
Ingredients
- Chicken: 1/2 kg chicken, cut into pieces
- Lime Juice: A splash of lime juice
- Eggs: 2 hard-boiled eggs
- Tofu: 1 block of tofu, cut into cubes and lightly fried
- Lemongrass: 3 stalks, bruised
- Galangal: 1 thumb-sized piece, bruised
- Bay Leaves: 4 leaves
- Kaffir Lime Leaves: 4 leaves
- Coconut Milk: 1 package (65 ml) of Kara coconut milk
- Salt: 2 1/2 teaspoons
- Sugar: 1 teaspoon
Spice Paste (Bumbu Halus)
- Shallots: 7 cloves
- Garlic: 4 cloves
- Candlenuts: 5 nuts
- Coriander: 1 teaspoon
- Black Peppercorns: To taste
- Turmeric: 2 thumb-sized pieces
- Ginger: 1 thumb-sized piece
Instructions
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Prepare the Chicken: Begin by washing the chicken pieces thoroughly. Marinate them with a splash of lime juice to add a refreshing tang and help tenderize the meat. After marinating, boil the chicken until it is half-cooked. Set aside.
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Make the Spice Paste: While the chicken is cooking, prepare the spice paste. Blend together shallots, garlic, candlenuts, coriander, black peppercorns, turmeric, and ginger until you have a smooth paste.
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Sauté the Spice Paste: Heat a little oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the spice paste and sauté until fragrant and the oil starts to separate from the paste.
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Add Aromatics: To the sautéed paste, add the bruised lemongrass, galangal, bay leaves, and kaffir lime leaves. Stir well to combine and let the spices infuse their flavors.
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Combine Ingredients: Add the half-cooked chicken pieces to the pan. Toss to coat the chicken in the spice mixture. Then, add the tofu cubes and hard-boiled eggs.
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Add Liquid: Pour in 1 cup of the leftover chicken broth from the initial boiling process. Stir in salt and sugar to taste. Let the mixture cook until the flavors meld together and the liquid reduces slightly.
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Finish with Coconut Milk: Once the liquid has reduced a bit, add a small amount of water if necessary. Pour in the Kara coconut milk, stirring constantly to prevent the milk from curdling. Allow it to simmer until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
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Final Touches: Once the opor ayam has reached your desired consistency, turn off the heat. Garnish with crispy fried shallots if you like, and serve hot.
Serving Suggestions
Opor Ayam is best enjoyed with steamed rice, making it a satisfying and hearty meal. The combination of tender chicken, rich coconut milk, and flavorful spices is sure to delight your taste buds and impress your guests.
Happy cooking and enjoy your delicious Opor Ayam! 😘❤