25 ways to wow with Indonesian

We're feeling inspired by Lara Lee's Indonesian adventures, so here are a few of our Indonesian favourites that are guaranteed to spice up your week. (Literally!)

Stuffed tofu

Stuff your tofu, batter up and fry them to golden perfection. Source: Alan Benson

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Beyond Bali With Lara Lee

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Whether you want to jazz up your weekly eats, try something new, or bring some of your restaurant or travel favourites to the table – look no further because these savoury to sweet recipes pack a flavour punch!

Udang bumbu rujak is a flavoursome Indonesian dish that combines succulent prawns with a bold, spicy-sweet sauce inspired by traditional fruit salad dressings. Chef Pak Manik shared this recipe with Lara Lee during her travels on the island of Lombok.

Udang bumbu rujak
Source: Johannes P Kusumo

Lara Lee enjoyed this chicken rice porridge, bubur ayam, made by chef Nyoman Wirata, during her travels. The fragrant chicken broth can form the base for the popular Indonesian dish, or on its own, the soto-style broth infused with ginger, galangal, lemongrass, salam leaf and other aromatics can be enjoyed as a light chicken soup, with optional toppings.

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Bubur ayam. Source: Rob Gunn

Serve these popular Indonesian street snacks with black tea or beer to help tame the heat.

Stuffed tofu
Stuff your tofu, batter up and fry them to golden perfection. Source: Alan Benson

Lawar is a type of salad that hails from Bali, where it originated as a ceremonial dish – both as an offering and as a feast to be shared by the hundreds who visit the Hindu temples. There are many variations on the island, each with their own significant meaning. This is Lara Lee's version.

Balinese coconut lawar salad (Lawar Buncis)
Source: Louise Hagger

These Javanese-style fish cakes are simple to prepare, easy to cook and packed with flavour. Any white-fleshed fish will work and there's chilli required here – just whip up a batch of cucumber pickles and you’re away!

Coconut fish cakes
Source: Leanne Kitchen and Antony Suvalko

This recipe is inspired by Luke Nguyen's travels to Jakarta and it isn't just any nasi goreng, this recipe is made with mutton and the Indonesian locals love it.

Mutton fried rice - nasi goreng
Nasi goreng is a hot favourite Indonesian dish. Source: Alan Benson

If you wander through the food courts of Indonesia’s glam shopping malls, you will see modern interpretations of nasi goreng wherever you look and this recipe is definitely worth bookmarking.

nasi-goreng_583237693
file:5578_nasi-goreng.jpg

This is a seafood version of a popular Indonesian street food, lemper ayam. It is usually made with shredded cooked chicken, which you can use in this recipe instead of the tuna. Take your pick!

Spiced tuna and sticky rice in banana leaf
Spiced tuna and sticky rice in banana leaf Source: China Squirrel

A dish that catches our eye - grilled fish in banana leaves served with rice and plenty of herbs, too - yes!

Sea bass grilled in banana leaves
Source: Alan Benson

Dried fish are a delicacy and this Peter Kuruvita recipe is perfect for that shared occasion.

Dried-Fish.jpg

A sweet and spicy stew of fish and potato that makes and supreme statement.

Spicy braised fish stew (smor ikang)
Source: Feast magazine

'Soto' means soup and this Luke Nguyen special consists of broth, meat, vegetable and noodle. Let's just say the spice mix alone is worth conjuring up this bowl in the kitchen.

Betawi beef rib soup with vermicelli noodles
Source: Alan Benson

Rich and fragrant, this Indonesian chicken soup is a much-loved classic that will turn into a family favourite.

Chicken noodle soup (soto ayam)
Source: Alan Benson

Sayyr lodeh is an Indonesian vegetable soup from the central and east part of Java. The base is made with coconut milk and both tempeh or tofu can be added to make a main course5

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Tempeh lodeh Source: Paradise Kitchen Bali

Perfect to make over the weekend, this beef dish works well in large quantities as it keeps so well and develops in flavour each day.

Beef rendang (rendang daging)
Source: Feast magazine

"This is an Indonesian flavour bomb that explodes in your mouth," says Lauren Camilleri. If you don't have access to fresh jackfruit, you can use the tinned version.

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Jackfruit rendang Source: Paradise Kitchen Bali

Lara Lee says this martabakis, with coriander- and cumin-spiced lamb encased in pastry, is one of her favourite snacks.

Lamb martabak
Lamb martabak Source: Coconut & Sambal

Fried tofu can be sauced in many ways and this sweet-tangy peanut-based concoction is particularly delicious and quick to make.

Deep-fried tofu with peanut sauce
Deep-fried tofu with peanut sauce Source: China Squirrel

With wonderfully sweet aromas of chilli, the simplicity of this chicken stir-fry is oh, so satisfying.

Stir-fried chicken and snake beans with chilli relish
Stir-fried chicken and snake beans with chilli relish. Source: Alan Benson

This dish from Sarah Todd has everything: flavour and crunch! Topped with rice pappadums and sticky marinated paneer, it's a really filling vegetarian meal.

Vegetarian Nasi Goreng with Marinated Paneer Homemade Prawn Crackers
Source: My Second Restaurant in India

Curries from the western Indonesia island of Sumatra are believed to derive from Indian curries and they’re known for their yellow hue, which comes from turmeric. And this green sambal - sambal lado ijo - is typical of the kind you’d find in Padang, also on the island of Sumatra, renown for its particularly fiery cuisine.

Sumatran egg curry with green sambal (gulai telur / sambal lado ijo)
Sumatran egg curry Source: Alan Benson

You wouldn’t go for long in Bali without seeing this powerful bright yellow tonic. With roots in Ayurvedic medicine, jamu is said to go back thousands of years as a medicinal brew. This is a gorgeous vivid tonic, something to sip as is or dilute. You may like to further sweeten it with honey. Enjoy cold, in a little shot glass or on ice in larger glasses.

As with all traditional drinks, recipes differ for each maker, but it will always be centred around fresh turmeric, joined by other roots, such as ginger, and bark, such as cinnamon, plus flowers, seeds, leaves and fruit.   It’s imperative to source fresh
Source: Hardie Grant Books / Mark Roper

A cake that calls on condensed milk, vanilla and a whole lot of spice, you won't need a thousand reasons to make this towering delight.

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One of Luke Nguyen's all-time favourite Asian-style desserts, that is soft in texture, subtle in flavour and has a ginger sweetness that makes it so fabulous to eat.

Is there anything this vegan food isn't capable of?
Is there anything this vegan food isn't capable of? Source: Alan Benson

Whilst it's traditionally eaten plain, this recipe also gives you a caramel topping and coconut custard for a little more oomph.

Steamed banana cakes with coconut custard (apam pisang)
Source: Chris Chen

Find more in SBS Food's Indonesian recipe collection.


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SBS Food is a 24/7 foodie channel for all Australians, with a focus on simple, authentic and everyday food inspiration from cultures everywhere. NSW stream only. Read more about SBS Food

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