Photo from pinterest.com
Gado Gado is a traditional Indonesian salad renowned for its vibrant flavors and nutritious ingredients. This dish features an assortment of blanched and fresh vegetables, tofu, tempeh, and hard-boiled eggs, all served with a flavorful peanut sauce. Gado Gado is not only delicious but also a wholesome and satisfying meal that's popular across Indonesia and beyond.
Ingredients:
For Salad:
1 lb green beans, trimmed
1 lb bean sprouts
2 medium potatoes, boiled and sliced
2 medium carrots, julienned
1 cucumber, sliced
1 block tofu, sliced and fried
1 block tempeh, sliced and fried
4 hard-boiled eggs, halved
Fried shallots for garnish
Fresh cilantro for garnish
For Peanut Sauce:
1 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
2 tablespoons tamarind paste
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
Salt to taste
Water, as needed
Instructions:
Blanch the green beans and bean sprouts in boiling water for 1-2 minutes, then immediately transfer them to ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain and set aside. Arrange the blanched vegetables, boiled potatoes, julienned carrots, sliced cucumber, fried tofu, fried tempeh, and hard-boiled eggs on a serving platter. In a saucepan, combine peanut butter, sweet soy sauce, tamarind paste, minced garlic, ground coriander, ground cumin, chili powder (if using), and salt. Cook over low heat, stirring continuously, until smooth and well combined. Add water gradually to reach the desired consistency. Pour the peanut sauce over the prepared vegetables and protein. Garnish with fried shallots and fresh cilantro.
Serving:
Serve Gado Gado immediately, allowing each person to mix their salad with the peanut sauce according to their preference. Enjoy this flavorful Indonesian dish as a main course or as a side dish to complement other Indonesian specialties.
Gado Gado is a celebration of Indonesia's rich culinary heritage, offering a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. With its nutritious ingredients and delicious peanut sauce, Gado Gado is a true crowd-pleaser that's perfect for any occasion.
