Sayur Asam

February 17th, 2009

Ingredients:
Snake beans (Kacang panjang), cut into 5 cm lengths
Nangka (Jackfruit)
Tahu (Tofu, Beancurd), cubed
Cob of Corn, cut into 5 cm lengths
Melinjo (The fruit of the candlenut tree)
Daun melinjo (The leaves of the candlenut tree)
Labusiem (Choko, Chayote), sliced
Raw peanuts
Bumbu-bumbu:
Onion
Terasi
Kemiri (candlenut)
Cabe (Birdseye chilli)
Asam (Tamarind)
Daun Salam (bay leaf)
Lengkuas (Laos, Galangal)
Green Lombok (chilli peppers), chopped finely
Salt

Preparation:
Grind the onion, terasi, cabe and the kemiri into a paste
Clean and cut all the vegetables.
Heat a little vegetable oil in a pan and fry the paste until fragrant
Add water, salt, asam, daun salam and lengkuas
Add all the vegetables and the raw peanuts and cook until vegetables are tender. Do not overcook.
Note:
Serve with steamed white rice and ikan asin (fried salted fish)

Asam

February 13th, 2009

Indonesian: Asamasam

Common Name: Tamarind

Botanical Name: Tamarindus indica

Malaysian: Asam

Thai: Makham

-The fruit of the tamarind tree. If asked for Asam water, take a piece of tamarind and soak in 1-2 tablespoons of water. Rub fruit flesh of the pits and use the water. For fish or chicken , the asam is used instead of lemon juice, rub the asam directly onto the fish. It is also available now in a paste which is a lot more convenient.