Indonesian Spiced Chicken Stew (Tongseng Ayam)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 chicken, cut into small pieces
• Sufficient cabbage, sliced
• Sufficient tomatoes, sliced
• Sufficient whole bird’s eye chilies
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce, or to taste
• 1/2 tablespoon sugar, or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• Sufficient green onions, sliced
• 200 ml water

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 onion, sliced or finely chopped
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 kaffir lime leaves
• 1 stalk lemongrass

Spice Paste:

• 5 shallots
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1/2 tablespoon coriander seeds
• 3 candlenuts
• 1 inch turmeric root, or 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 inch ginger root

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Spice Paste:

   • In a blender or mortar and pestle, blend the shallots, garlic, coriander seeds, candlenuts, turmeric, and ginger until you achieve a smooth paste.

2. Sauté Aromatics:

   • Heat a little oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the spice paste, sliced onion, bay leaves, kaffir lime leaves, and lemongrass. Sauté until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

3. Cook the Chicken:

   • Add the chicken pieces to the pan and stir to coat them evenly with the aromatic mixture. Cook for a few minutes until the chicken begins to brown.

4. Simmer:

   • Pour in the water, then add the sugar, salt, and soy sauce. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer until the chicken is fully cooked and tender, about 20-30 minutes. Adjust the seasoning to taste.

5. Add Vegetables:

   • Once the chicken is tender, add the whole bird’s eye chilies, sliced cabbage, tomatoes, and green onions. Stir well and let the vegetables cook for a few more minutes until they are just tender but still crisp.

6. Serve:

   • Remove from heat and transfer the Tongseng Ayam to a serving dish. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Tips for Perfect Tongseng Ayam:

• For a richer flavor, you can add a splash of coconut milk towards the end of cooking.
• Adjust the amount of bird’s eye chilies based on your preferred level of spiciness.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, let the stew simmer a bit longer to reduce the liquid.

Enjoy the warm and aromatic flavors of this traditional Indonesian dish, perfect for a hearty meal with family and friends.