Spicy Grilled Indonesian Rice with Chicken and Basil

Nasi Bakar Rica Ayam

Ingredients:

For the Nasi Bakar:

• 2 handfuls of white rice (cooked)
• Fresh basil leaves (to taste)
• Whole Thai bird chilies (as needed)
• Banana leaves (for wrapping)
• Skewers or toothpicks (for securing)

For the Rica Ayam:

• 500 grams of chicken breast, cut into pieces
• 1/2 onion, sliced lengthwise
• 2 tablespoons sweet soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon palm sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• Salt and chicken stock powder (to taste)
• Water (as needed)

For the Spice Paste:

• 4 cloves garlic
• 6 shallots
• 3 candlenuts
• 6 red curly chilies
• 15 red bird’s eye chilies (adjust to taste for spiciness)

For the Complementary Spices:

• 1 piece of ginger
• 1 kaffir lime leaf
• 1 piece of galangal
• 1 salam leaf (Indonesian bay leaf)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Rica Ayam:

   • Heat some oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and sauté until fragrant.
   • Add the spice paste and complementary spices (ginger, kaffir lime leaf, galangal, and salam leaf). Continue to sauté until aromatic and the spices are well-cooked.
   • Add the chicken pieces to the pan. Stir well and cook until the chicken changes color.
   • Stir in the sweet soy sauce, palm sugar, salt, black pepper, and chicken stock powder. Mix thoroughly.
   • Add a little water to the pan to help the spices coat the chicken. Cook until the chicken is fully cooked and the flavors are well combined. Adjust seasoning to taste.

2. Prepare the Nasi Bakar:

   • Take a piece of banana leaf and place a portion of cooked white rice on it.
   • Add a few spoonfuls of the rica ayam on top of the rice.
   • Sprinkle some fresh basil leaves over the top and place a couple of whole Thai bird chilies for added heat.
   • Fold the banana leaf over to create a neat package and secure it with skewers or toothpicks.

3. Grill the Nasi Bakar:

   • Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place the wrapped banana leaf parcels in the pan.
   • Grill until the banana leaf becomes slightly charred and fragrant, turning occasionally to ensure even grilling.

4. Serve:

   • Unwrap the banana leaf and serve the nasi bakar rica ayam hot, garnished with additional fresh basil leaves and accompanied by crackers if desired.

Enjoy this deliciously spicy and aromatic Indonesian dish with your favorite side dishes. Happy cooking! 😊