sate

Sate, also known as satay, is a popular Indonesian dish consisting of skewered and grilled meat, typically served with a flavorful peanut sauce. It is a beloved street food and can be found throughout Indonesia, as well as in other Southeast Asian countries. Sate is commonly made with chicken, beef, or lamb, although other meats such as pork and goat may also be used.

Here's a basic recipe to make Chicken Sate (Sate Ayam) at home:

Ingredients:

For the chicken skewers:

- 500 grams boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

- Wooden skewers, soaked in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning

For the marinade:

- 3 cloves garlic, minced

- 2 shallots, minced

- 1 tablespoon kecap manis (sweet soy sauce)

- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

- 1 teaspoon ground coriander

- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

- Salt and pepper, to taste

For the peanut sauce:

- 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. In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, minced shallots, kecap manis, vegetable oil, ground coriander, ground turmeric, salt, and pepper to make the marinade. Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and mix until well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to develop.

2. While the chicken is marinating, prepare the peanut sauce:

   - 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.

3. Preheat the grill or barbecue to medium-high heat. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the soaked wooden skewers.

4. Grill the chicken skewers for about 5-7 minutes on each side, or until cooked through and slightly charred, brushing with any leftover marinade or vegetable oil as needed.

5. Serve the grilled chicken skewers hot with the peanut sauce on the side for dipping.

6. Enjoy your homemade Chicken Sate!

Feel free to customize your sate by using different meats or adding additional marinade ingredients to suit your taste preferences. Sate is often served with accompaniments such as rice cakes (ketupat or lontong), sliced cucumbers and onions, and sometimes a squeeze of lime juice.