Tag: peanut sauce

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

KETAN SERUNDENG aka sticky rice cakes with coconut flakes

snacks

KETAN SERUNDENG..
( STICKY RICE CAKES WITH SAVOURY COCONUT FLAKES)

Ketan is a hearty snack quite popular in Indonesia.Ketan is usually made from glutinous rice. Rice is soaked and steamed  in steps, usually with an addition of coconut milk. The steamed sticky rice is then quickly formed into balls and rolled in either plain or flavoured coconut flakes, and served with a spicy peanut sauce.
Coconut which is grated and cooked with a spice paste, is called SERUNDENG, this has a long shelf life if stored in the fridge.
Serundeng is used as a topping on yellow rice, served on the side with other dishes and usually a staple at many homes. You can actually call it the podi powder of Indonesia..
Ketan is usually served as a starter or snack.
Glutinous rice or beras ketan can be used to make a sticky sweet porridge also.

Today I have made it in 2 colours, one white and one blue. The blue ketan is made using butterfly pea flower. Soaking these dried flowers in hot water gave it a lovely indigo colour.  Do try this recipe if you can source GLUTINOUS RICE.

250 gms beras ketan( glutinous rice)
1/2 cup thick coconut milk
1/2 cup water.
1 tsp salt
10 gms of dried butterfly pea flowers, soaked in half cup hot water.( about 1/4 cup) strain when water cools down.

Wash and soak the ketan for 4 hours.
Drain the ketan and put in a hot steamer.
Steam for 15 mins.
Remove into 2 bowls.
To one bowl add 1/4 cup coconut milk, 1/4 cup water and 1/2 tsp salt. Mix and keep aside for 15 mins…the liquid will be absorbed by then..
To the other bowl of ketan, add 1/4 cup coconut milk, 1/2 tsp  salt and 1/4 cup blue liquid from the strained flowers. Keep aside for 15 mins.

After 15 mins put both the soaked rice back into the steamer and steam for 20 mins.
Remove into 2 bowls, make balls while still warm.
Roll the blue ketan balls in plain grated coconut.
Roll the white ketan balls in serundeng.
Serve with peanut sauce.

To make serundeng.
Grind together..
3 garlic pods
5 shallots
4 to 5 red chillies
1 tsp corriander powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsp sugar
6 shredded kaffir lime leaves.
1 tbsps grated gur.
Small pc of fresh turmeric.

Take a pan, add 2 tbsps oil
Add ground paste and saute till cooked.
Add 1 cup grated and steamed coconut.
Saute till well mixed.
Cool and pulse in mixer to get semi powdered mix.

For white coconut..
Grated and steam coconut for 10 mins.

Tip…we normally grate and steam coconut. To keep handy in the fridge.
It does not go sour , using this method.

Peanut sauce..

100 gms fried peanuts with skin or without
1/2 tsp white pepper
Salt to taste
Veg stock powder, or msg 1/4 tsp
6 bird chillies, 6 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 or juice of 1 lime.

. 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. Add some water and blend to a thick paste.

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.

Tofu, egg and sprouts Salad with Peanut sauce

main meal

( Tofu ,beansprouts and egg salad with peanut sauce)

ALSO KNOWN AS TAHU TELOR .

This delicious dish can be called a cousin to the famous gado gado salad of Indonesia. Easy to make and assemble.
Having lived in Indonesia since 35 years, my taste buds have got used to the delicious food available here except for tofu or tahu as its known here. For me given a choice between tofu and paneer, paneer wins hands down anyday. But on the other hand, tofu and tempe are staples in the Indonesian diet, and a good source of protein . Both tofu and tempe are also present at afternoon meals in our home too. Fried, sauted, steamed..any which way. So, i have learnt to befriend tofu in some dishes.
Growing up in India, we did not really know much about tofu, even with the advent of chinese restaurants, which started mushrooming all over India during the 1970’s., tofu was not part of thier menu. Chinese food was of course egg fried rice, hakka noodles and veg manchurian😊. The awesome chindian food, especially catering to the Indian Palette. Frankly speaking, I still love that particular chindian food which i definetely make it a point to have when in Pune. The spring rolls at chinese room are my favourite. Tofu is now easily available in India, and many people have replaced paneer with tofu in the new fad vegan diets.
So on to today’s recipe..pls do try it.
Best eaten with warm sauce.


Ingredients.
Tofu/ paneer 300 gms cut into small cubes.
3 eggs
100 gms fried peanuts with skin or without
Plus 4 tbsps fried peanuts.
100 gms beansprouts, blanched.
4 tbsps chopped celery
4 tbsps finely chopped spring onions
4 kaffir lime leaves ( middle stock removed)
1 big cucumber slit and chopped in semi circles.
4 tbsps fried onion
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

Method
1. 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.
4. Now beat 3 eggs, season with salt and pepper.
Add tofu cubes to the eggs and mix.
Heat 1 tbsps of oil in a wok, slide in a laddle of the egg and tofu mixture., you can do it it in batches.( I got about 8 small omelettes)
Stir for a bit and let semi set. After a while flip it over.
Slide onto a serving platter.
Top with cucumber, beansprouts, peanut sauce, celery leaves,spring onions, fried onions and some fried peanuts.
Serve warm. Enjoy.