Indonesian Sweet Soy Chicken Stew (Semur Ayam)

Semur Ayam: A Classic Indonesian Chicken Stew

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken, cleaned and cut into pieces
• Blended Spice Paste:
  • 5 shallots
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • A piece of turmeric and ginger (about the size of your thumb)
  • 3 candlenuts
  • Coriander, black peppercorns, and nutmeg (adjust to taste)
• Additional Ingredients:
  • 5 tablespoons kecap manis (sweet soy sauce)
  • 5 fried shallots for garnish
  • A few slices of galangal
  • 1 stalk of lemongrass, bruised
  • 2 bay leaves
  • A small piece of palm sugar
  • Salt, MSG, and seasoning powder (such as Royco) to taste
  • Tamarind (asam jawa) or tamarind paste
  • Water

Steps:

1. Prepare the Fried Shallots:

   • Heat oil in a pan and fry the shallots until golden brown. Set aside for garnish.

2. Make the Spice Paste:

   • Blend the shallots, garlic, turmeric, ginger, candlenuts, coriander, black peppercorns, and nutmeg into a smooth paste. You may need a bit of water or oil to help blend.

3. Cook the Spice Paste:

   • In a large pot or pan, heat a little oil and sauté the blended spice paste until it becomes fragrant.

4. Add Additional Ingredients:

   • Add the galangal, lemongrass, bay leaves, and the piece of palm sugar to the pot. Continue to sauté until aromatic.

5. Cook the Chicken:

   • Add the cleaned chicken pieces to the pot. Sauté briefly to coat the chicken with the spices.

6. Simmer:

   • Pour in enough water to cover the chicken. Stir in the tamarind, kecap manis, salt, MSG, and seasoning powder. Bring to a boil.

7. Simmer Until Tender:

   • Reduce the heat, cover the pot, and let the stew simmer until the chicken is tender and the sauce has thickened. Adjust the seasoning to taste.

8. Final Touches:

   • Once the sauce has reduced and the chicken is cooked through, remove from heat.

9. Serve:

   • Garnish with fried shallots. Serve hot and enjoy!

10. Enjoy Your Meal:

    • Don’t forget to say a prayer before eating. 🙏

Note: This dish is a delightful representation of Indonesian comfort food, rich in flavors and deeply satisfying. It pairs wonderfully with steamed rice. We look forward to seeing your recook! 😘