Gado Gado (Indonesian Vegetable Salad with Peanut Sauce)

Discover the vibrant flavors of Indonesia with Gado Gado, a fresh and colorful vegetable salad served with a rich, creamy peanut sauce. Perfect as a light meal or a side dish, Gado Gado offers a harmonious balance of textures and tastes, combining crisp vegetables, boiled eggs, and savory peanut dressing.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cabbage, shredded
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1 cup green beans, trimmed and blanched
• 2 medium potatoes, boiled and cubed
• 2 carrots, julienned or sliced thinly
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, halved
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1/2 block of firm tofu, fried and cubed
• 1/2 cup tempeh, fried and sliced (optional)
• 1/4 cup fried shallots (for garnish)

Peanut Sauce

• 1 cup roasted peanuts (unsalted)
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 red chilies (adjust to taste)
• 2 tablespoons sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
• 1 tablespoon tamarind paste or lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2–3/4 cup water (adjust for desired consistency)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Vegetables

   Wash and blanch the cabbage, bean sprouts, and green beans until just tender. Boil the potatoes and carrots until soft. Set aside to cool slightly.

2. Fry the Tofu and Tempeh

   Cut tofu and tempeh into cubes or slices. Heat oil in a skillet and fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

3. Make the Peanut Sauce

   In a food processor or mortar and pestle, grind roasted peanuts, garlic, and red chilies into a coarse paste. Add sweet soy sauce, tamarind or lime juice, salt, sugar, and water. Blend until smooth. Adjust water to achieve a creamy, pourable consistency.

4. Assemble the Gado Gado

   Arrange the blanched vegetables, boiled potatoes, carrots, cucumber, tofu, tempeh, and eggs on a large serving platter. Drizzle generously with peanut sauce.

5. Garnish

   Sprinkle fried shallots over the top for added crunch and aroma. Serve immediately.

Serving

Gado Gado is perfect on its own as a vegetarian meal or paired with steamed rice or rice cakes (lontong) for a fuller Indonesian experience. Enjoy the delightful combination of textures, flavors, and the nutty richness of the peanut sauce in every bite.