gado gado

Gado-gado is a traditional Indonesian salad that is both delicious and nutritious. It typically consists of a colorful array of blanched or steamed vegetables, tofu, tempeh, hard-boiled eggs, and sometimes boiled potatoes, all served with a flavorful peanut sauce dressing. Gado-gado is popular across Indonesia and is often enjoyed as a light meal or appetizer.

Here's a basic recipe to make Gado-gado at home:

Ingredients:

For the salad:

- Mixed vegetables (such as cabbage, bean sprouts, spinach, green beans, carrots, and cucumber), blanched or steamed until tender

- Firm tofu, cut into cubes and fried until golden brown

- Tempeh, cut into cubes and fried until golden brown

- Hard-boiled eggs, halved

- Boiled potatoes, cut into cubes (optional)

- Fried shallots, for garnish

- Lime wedges, for serving

For the peanut sauce dressing:

- 150 grams roasted peanuts, finely ground

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 2 shallots, minced

- 2 red chili peppers, seeded and minced (adjust to taste)

- 1 tablespoon tamarind paste

- 1 tablespoon palm sugar or brown sugar

- 1 teaspoon salt

- 1 cup coconut milk

- Water, as needed to adjust consistency

Instructions:

1. Prepare the peanut sauce dressing:

   - In a blender or food processor, combine the finely ground roasted peanuts, minced garlic, minced shallots, minced chili peppers, tamarind paste, palm sugar, salt, and coconut milk.

   - Blend until smooth, adding water as needed to achieve a pourable consistency. Adjust the seasoning to taste by adding more salt, sugar, or chili peppers if desired.

2. Arrange the blanched or steamed vegetables, fried tofu, fried tempeh, hard-boiled eggs, and boiled potatoes (if using) on a serving platter.

3. Drizzle the peanut sauce dressing generously over the salad.

4. Garnish with fried shallots and serve with lime wedges on the side.

5. Toss the salad before serving to coat the ingredients evenly with the peanut sauce dressing.

6. Enjoy your homemade Gado-gado!

Feel free to customize your Gado-gado by adding your favorite vegetables and protein sources. Gado-gado is a versatile dish, and you can adjust the ingredients and flavors according to your taste preferences. It's a refreshing and satisfying salad that celebrates the vibrant flavors of Indonesian cuisine.