Sate ayam - chicken satay
Sate ayam or chicken satay is one of the most popular and widely enjoyed dishes in Indonesia. It is a flavorful and delicious street food that is often served at small roadside stalls or warungs, and it is also featured on the menus of many upscale restaurants in the country. The dish consists of small pieces of chicken that are marinated with a unique blend of Indonesian spices and then skewered and grilled over hot coals. It is typically served with a peanut sauce and a side of cucumber and onion salad.
The origins of sate ayam can be traced back to the island of Java, where it was first created by street vendors in the 19th century. The dish quickly gained popularity and spread throughout the country, becoming a staple food for people of all ages and backgrounds. Today, sate ayam is enjoyed by millions of Indonesians every day, and it has also become a popular food item in other parts of the world.
To make sate ayam, the first step is to prepare the chicken by cutting it into small, bite-sized pieces. The chicken is then marinated with a mixture of soy sauce, kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), ginger, garlic, coriander, and turmeric, among other spices. The marinade gives the chicken a delicious, complex flavor that is enhanced even further when the chicken is grilled over hot coals.
To make the peanut sauce that accompanies the sate ayam, peanuts are roasted and then ground into a fine paste. The paste is then mixed with coconut milk, kecap manis, lime juice, garlic, and chili paste to create a rich and creamy sauce that perfectly complements the grilled chicken. The cucumber and onion salad provides a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of the chicken and peanut sauce, making sate ayam a well-balanced and satisfying meal.
One of the best things about sate ayam is that it is easy to prepare and can be made using a variety of methods. While many Indonesians prefer to grill their chicken over charcoal, it is also possible to cook the chicken on a grill pan or in the oven. Additionally, the peanut sauce can be adjusted to suit personal taste preferences, with some people choosing to increase or decrease the amount of chili paste to make it spicier or milder.
Overall, sate ayam is a delicious and beloved dish that captures the unique and vibrant flavors of Indonesian cuisine. Whether enjoyed as a street food snack or as part of a more elaborate meal, it is sure to delight the taste buds and become a treasured favorite.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into small cubes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 20 bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
For Peanut Sauce:
- 1 cup unsalted roasted peanuts
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp tamarind paste
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup coconut milk
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp lime juice
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix together garlic, coriander, cumin, turmeric, salt, brown sugar, soy sauce, lime juice, and vegetable oil. Add chicken cubes and toss until well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Thread the chicken cubes onto the soaked bamboo skewers.
- Grill the chicken skewers for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
- While the chicken is grilling, make the peanut sauce. In a blender or food processor, grind the peanuts until they are fine. Add garlic, brown sugar, tamarind paste, water, coconut milk, soy sauce, lime juice, and salt, and blend until smooth.
- Transfer the peanut sauce to a saucepan and warm it over low heat for 2-3 minutes.
- Serve the chicken skewers hot with peanut sauce on the side. Enjoy!