Ayam Goreng Balado (Hot Spicy Chicken) | Indonesian Food Recipes

Ayam goreng balado is a traditional Regional Cuisine in Indonesia from Padang, Western Sumatra. Its a spicy condiment in the Indonesian household and usually served with rice dishes.

Ingredient

• 1.5 kg chicken Marylands, cut through the joint
• 50 gm tamarind pulp, mixed with 125ml water, strained, solids discarded
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• Pinch each of ground turmeric and ground white pepper
• For deep-frying: vegetable oil
• 6 golden shallots, thinly sliced
• 2 vine-ripened tomatoes, coarsely chopped
• 15 long red chillies, processed to a fine paste in a small food processor
• 5 kaffir lime leaves, thinly sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped Pinch of caster sugar
• 1-2 tbsp lime juice, or to taste

Method

Massage chicken with tamarind liquid, coriander, turmeric, white pepper and 1 tsp fine sea salt, then refrigerate to marinate (4 hours-overnight).

Heat oil in a deep saucepan to 180C. Pat chicken dry with absorbent paper and deep-fry in batches, turning occasionally, until golden but still under-cooked (6-8 minutes; be careful as hot oil will spit), then drain on absorbent paper. Reserve 120ml oil in saucepan (discard remainder), add shallot and stir occasionally over medium heat until tender (5 minutes). Add tomato, chilli, lime leaves, garlic and sugar and stir until mixture is fragrant (5 minutes). Add chicken and stir to coat, then add 60ml water and cook over low-medium heat, covered and stirring occasionally, until sauce is well reduced (15-20 minutes). Add lime juice to taste and serve hot.