Pedesan Ayam: A Savory Indonesian Chicken Dish
Ingredients:
- 1 kg chicken, cut into 7 pieces (approximately 1 kg of chicken pieces)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 stalk lemongrass, bruised
- 1/2 small packet of coconut milk (Kara brand or similar)
- Salt, sugar, and seasoning to taste
- Sufficient water
- Ground Spices:
- 1 handful green chilies (rawit hijau)
- 10 shallots
- 3 cloves garlic
Instructions:
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Prepare the Ground Spices: Begin by grinding the green chilies, shallots, and garlic together to form a smooth paste. This blend will infuse your dish with a rich, aromatic flavor.
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Cook the Aromatics: In a large pan or wok, heat 3 tablespoons of cooking oil over medium heat. Add the ground spice paste along with the bay leaves and bruised lemongrass. Sautรฉ the mixture until it becomes fragrant and loses its raw smell, taking care not to burn it.
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Add the Chicken: Once the spices are aromatic, add the chicken pieces to the pan. Stir the chicken well to ensure it is coated with the spice mixture and changes color.
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Simmer with Water: Pour in enough water to partially submerge the chicken. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and allow it to simmer. Let the chicken cook until the water has reduced by half and the mixture starts to thicken slightly.
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Incorporate Coconut Milk: Stir in the coconut milk, and add salt, sugar, and seasoning to taste. Mix thoroughly to combine all the ingredients.
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Final Simmer: Continue to simmer the dish until the sauce has thickened further and the chicken is tender and fully cooked. The sauce should be reduced to a rich, creamy consistency.
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Adjust the Flavor: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if necessary. If the balance of flavors is to your liking, turn off the heat.
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Serve: Transfer the Pedesan Ayam to a serving dish and enjoy the robust flavors of this traditional Indonesian chicken dish.
Enjoy your meal with steamed rice or as part of a larger Indonesian feast! ๐
