Tag: #indonesian#bumbu kacang#tahu

Ketoprak..

main meal

Ketoprak..
( pronounced KAT..O..PRAAK)

This dish is a sibling of the more famous INDONESIAN GADO GADO.
You can say its a filling salad which can be had hot, cold or at room temperature.
We prefer it at room temprature.
Unlike the gado gado, which is mostly all steamed vegetables, KETOPRAK consists of potato, tofu, rice vermicilli, bean sprouts , cucumber and sometimes  LONTONG( rice cake) .
Today I will share the recipe of  LONTONG,  Aka rice cake. Easy to make and very satisfying. A complete meal on its own and delicious. So basically we make the lontong first as it needs a good one hour boil on the fire.  And while thats being done we prep the other ingredients. Here in Jakarta we sometimes buy the lontong from the wet markets. Readily available. And sometimes when time permits, we make them at home. Lontong keep well in the fridge for upto 2 days. Do try the recipe.
Have included the photos in the comment section.

For lontong
1 or 2 cups of starchy jasmine rice.
Wash and soak for 2 hours.
Drain.
( we dont add salt or oil)
Cut softened banana leaves into squares, take 2 squares one on top of the other and form a cylinder. Secure one end with toothpick.
Fill  the drained rice with a spoon in the banana leaf rolls., half way. And secure with a toothpick.
Now fill a good sized pan with a lot of water, and submerge the rolls in it.
Water should fully cover the rolls. Depending on the size of the rolls, and the size of the pot, you can boil them in upright or horizontal position.
Cover and cook on medium heat for a good one hour. The rolls will be cooked by then. Remove and keep aside to cool.
The size of banana leaf roll can be adjusted.
( picture in comments section)
(Apologies for one photo which got deleted by mistake, the one with the rolls in the pan)

Preparation..
2 big squares of tofu..soak in salted water, drain and deep fry whole.
2 to 3 boiled potatoes peeled and deep fried whole.
2 cucumbers, peeled
1  big bowl of beansprouts ..blanched and drained.
1 big bowl of  boiled rice vermicilli.
Some fried onions
Khaffir lime or normal lime halves.

Peanut sauce..

100 gms fried peanuts with skin or without
4 kaffir lime leaves ( middle stock removed)
1/2 tsp white pepper
Salt to taste
Veg stock powder, or msg 1/4 tsp
3 bird chillies, 3 red chillies
3 pods of garlic
30 gms palm sugar( I have boiled the palm sugar with little water , and strained to get rid of impurities.)
3 tbsps tamarind pulp

. Saute the red chillies, bird eye chillies and garlic in 2 tbsps oil.
2. In a mixer jar, add fried peanuts, chillies and garlic. Add salt, pepper and veg stock powder., the kaffir lime leaves. Add some water and blend to a thick paste.
3. Heat 2 or 3 tbsps oil, and put the peanut paste. Saute for a while, and add palm sugar and tamarind water. Also add about one cup water and let it cook till oil starts seperating.
Keep aside.

To serve..
In a platter, arrange the rice vermicilli, sprouts,  cut the tofu , potatoes, and cucumbers ( at an angle)  and lontong cut into thick discs.
Top with  peanut sauce and lime juice.
Sprinkle some fried onions.( pls do not omit).
Enjoy.

Soaked and drained rice
Make the roll

Siomai

main meal

Siomai
Siomay, is an Indonesian steamed fish dumpling made  with tofu, potatoes etc served with peanut sauce.
This dish is a meal on its own.Here in Indonesia ikan tengiri( surmai  fish) mixed with cornflour or tapioka flour is used as a filling . Served with peanut sauce, sweet soya sauce( kecap manis)  and lime juice . 
The chinese version of siomai is usally made with wonton wrappers, shaped to look like small cylendicals cones. That is normally made from pork and served with chillie sauce and comes under the catagory of dimsums.
The indonesian version is much more heartier and filling.
Pork is not used for halal reasons, fish is subsitituted.
Vegetarians may omit the fish . In that case add 2 tbsps more  of cornstarch .
Today I am sharing the  homemade version of siomai which we try to make at least once a month. Pls do try it.

Ingredients
8 small potatoes
8 squares of tofu ( each tofu square can be 6 cms ×6cms)
8 leaves of cabbage ( discard thick stem)
1 big bittergourd( if you like it)
Boiled eggs divided into 2 ( optional)

1/3rd cup finely chopped spring onion and celery
3 to 4 tbsps of cornflour.
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp pepper
1/4 cup grated carrot.
250 gms of boneless and skinless ikan tenggiri( surmai fish)( mackerel)

About 1/4th cup grated carrot for garnishing.

Peel the potatoes, and scoop out , leaving a shell behind. ( picture in comments section)
Scoop out the tofu also, leaving a shell.
Cut the bittergourd into 3 and discard the seeds and flesh. Soak the bittergourd in salt water.
Reserve the scooped out potato  bits and tofu .
Blanch the cabbage leaves and keep.

For filling..
Heat 1 tbsp of oil and pour on chopped spring onions and celery( this will help release flavours)
Finely blend the fish to get a paste.
Finely chop the  scooped out reserved
Potato and tofu( I used a food processor)
Mix fish paste, potato, tofu, and 1/4th cup grated cartot in a bowl.
Add finely chopped spring onions and celery, season with salt, pepper and msg( optional).
Add the cornflour and mix well.
You shoud get a very thick paste.
Put some of this filling, into each potato, tofu,and bittergourd shell. ..level it out
Put about 1 tbsp filling on a cabbage leaf and roll tightly. Put a little grated carrot on top of each potato and tofu.

Arrange tofu, potato, bittergourd and cabbage in a steamer and steam for about 15 mins. Reserve.

Peanut sauce..

100 gms fried peanuts with skin or without
4 kaffir lime leaves ( middle stock removed)
1/2 tsp white pepper
Salt to taste
Veg stock powder, or msg 1/4 tsp
3 bird chillies, 3 red chillies
3 pods of garlic
30 gms palm sugar( I have boiled the palm sugar with little water , and strained to get rid of impurities.)
3 tbsps tamarind pulp

. Saute the red chillies, bird eye chillies and garlic in 2 tbsps oil.
2. In a mixer jar, add fried peanuts, chillies and garlic. Add salt, pepper and veg stock powder., the kaffir lime leaves. Add some water and blend to a thick paste.
3. Heat 2 or 3 tbsps oil, and put the peanut paste. Saute for a while, and add palm sugar and tamarind water. Also add about one cup water and let it cook till oil starts seperating.
Keep aside.

To assemble
Put the siomai pcs on a plater, and roughly give them cuts on the platter itself ( for eg, give 2 cuts to potato to get 4 chunks)
Pour the peanut sauce on top of the siomai, dot with kecap manis or tomato ketchup ( I used both)

Ps.. if you dont have sweet soy sauce,
Mix 2 tbsps of normal soy with 2 tbsps of honey. And use.

Squeese lime juice and some fried onions, . Serve hot.