Ayam dan Tahu Bacem - Javanese Deep-Fried Chicken and Tofu

Method6 steps · about 1 hr 15 min

1. 1

   Step 1: Prepare spice broth: Grind shallots (150 gram), garlic (5 cloves), candlenuts (5), and galangal (1-inch piece) in a food processor into a smooth paste. Transfer spice paste into a soup pot. Add coriander (1 teaspoon), palm sugar (75 gram), salt (2 teaspoon), Indonesian bay leaves (3), coconut water, and water. Stir to mix.

   Uses 150 gram shallots (Indonesian: bawang merah) · 5 cloves garlic (Indonesian: bawang putih) · 5 candlenuts (Indonesian: kemiri) · 1-inch piece galangal · 1 teaspoon coriander (Indonesian: bubuk ketumbar) · 75 gram palm sugar (Indonesian: gula Jawa) · 2 teaspoon salt · 3 Indonesian bay leaves (Indonesian: daun salam)

2. 2

   Step 2: Add the chicken (1) and tofu to the prepared spice broth and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook partly covered until the sauce reduces, the chicken and tofu are tender, and the chicken reaches 74°C/165°F away from bone, about 45 minutes.

   Simmer chicken tofu · 45 minUses prepared palm-sugar coconut-water spice broth · 1 chicken, cut into 8-12 pieces, or use a mix of drumsticks and thighs · 450 g firm or extra-firm tofu, cut into 8 pieces

3. 3

   Step 3: Strain chicken and tofu: Strain chicken and tofu until dry to touch before frying.

   Uses cooked bacem chicken and tofu

4. 4

   Step 4: Heat oil: Place two to three inches of oil in a pot for deep frying. Heat over medium heat until the oil is hot. If you have a thermometer, wait until the oil reaches 170 Celsius (340 Fahrenheit).

   Uses Oil for deep-frying (quantity unspecified; source 2–3-inch depth)

5. 5

   Step 5: Fry the cooked, drained chicken and tofu in the hot oil until their surfaces are golden and crisp, about 2–3 minutes per batch. Drain on a wire rack.

   Finish-fry bacem chicken and tofu: each batch · 3 minUses cooked drained and surface-dried chicken and tofu · heated deep-frying oil

6. 6

   Step 6: Serve: Serve fried chicken and tofu immediately with the accompaniments and steamed white rice.

   Uses fried bacem chicken and tofu · shrimp paste chili sauce (Indonesian: sambal terasi) · sweet soy sauce (Indonesian: kecap manis) · lime wedges · Ready steamed white rice to serve (optional, quantity unspecified)