Indonesian Spicy Chicken and Tofu Balado

Ayam Tahu Balado: A Spicy Indonesian Delight

Ingredients

For the Chicken and Tofu:

• 1/4 kg chicken (cut into pieces)
• 4 pieces of tofu (cubed)

For the Marinade:

“Link To Share” is your all-in-one marketing platform, making it easy and professional to direct your audience to everything you offer.

• Modern, customizable bio pages • Link shortening with advanced analytics • Interactive, brandable QR codes • Host static sites and manage your code • Multiple web tools to grow your business

Get started now and elevate your projects!

• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 shallots
• 1 small piece of ginger
• Salt (to taste)
• Black pepper (to taste)

For the Spice Paste:

• 5 bird’s eye chilies
• 4 large red chilies
• 1 small tomato
• 1 candlenut
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 shallots
• 1 bay leaf
• A pinch of palm sugar
• Oil for sautéing

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken and Tofu:
   Begin by marinating the chicken pieces with a mixture of garlic, shallots, ginger, salt, and pepper. You can achieve this by grinding the garlic, shallots, and ginger into a paste. Massage this paste into the chicken and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate.

2. Cook the Chicken and Tofu:
   In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add the marinated chicken. Simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the flavors have melded together. Once cooked, remove the chicken and set it aside. In the same pot, gently fry the tofu pieces until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove and set aside with the chicken.

3. Make the Spice Paste:
   While the chicken and tofu are cooking, prepare the spice paste. Blend the bird’s eye chilies, large red chilies, tomato, candlenut, garlic, and shallots into a smooth paste. If needed, add a little water to help blend the ingredients thoroughly.

4. Sauté the Spice Paste:
   Heat a generous amount of oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the bay leaf and the spice paste. Sauté the paste until it becomes fragrant and the oil begins to separate from the paste. This step is crucial as it helps to develop the rich, spicy flavor of the balado.

5. Combine Ingredients:
   Add a small amount of water to the pan with the spice paste to form a sauce. Adjust the seasoning with salt and a pinch of palm sugar to balance the flavors. Gently fold in the fried chicken and tofu pieces, making sure they are well-coated with the spice paste. Cook for an additional few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to reduce slightly.

6. Serve:
   Once the sauce has thickened and clings to the chicken and tofu, remove from heat. Serve the Ayam Tahu Balado hot with steamed rice or as a flavorful side dish. Enjoy the harmonious blend of spicy and savory flavors!

This Ayam Tahu Balado recipe combines tender chicken and crispy tofu with a rich, spicy sauce, making it a delightful and vibrant dish that captures the essence of Indonesian cuisine. Perfect for a hearty family meal or to impress guests at a dinner gathering.