As many of you may have heard, president Barack Obama, as a child living in Indonesia he was fond of 2
local dishes. The first being a meat ball dish known to Indonesians as Bakso and the second is a fried
rice dish called Nasi Goreng. As these dishes are not common to most Americans I thought Id give you
the recipes and you can all see what the fuss is about. But if you’re a vegan and you want Indonesian
veggie recipes, you may look for vegan kits today. Just know what to consider regarding vegan meal kits
for the best choice.
Back to the mouthwatering Indonesian favorite, Ive had both these dishes and I thought they were so
wonderful that I had the chef show me how to make them. In Indonesia these dishes are made in many
different ways depending on what part of Indonesia you are in. The ingredients can vary but these are
your basic recipes.
Let start with Bakso
The meat balls in Bakso can be prepared at home but it takes sometime. Indonesians usually buy the
meat balls already made and ready to drop in to the soup. Try checking out Indonesian/oriental stores
and there is a good chance they have Bakso balls on hand. If not, here is what you will need to make
your own:
Ingredients:
Meatballs
1 1/3 cup minced beef
1/4 cup tapioca flour
1/3 cup crushed ice cube
2 white eggs
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons fried shallots
Salt and pepper to taste
So then, take the meat and crushed ice and put them in a food processor. Begin processing and add the
rest of the ingredients one by one. Continue processing until the meat has a sticky consistency. You're
going to be rolling this meat into meat balls so if you think the consistency is too thin, add some more
tapioca flour. Just a little at a time. Put in the refrigerator for 45 min.
While your meat is chilling lets get our broth started.
Broth
1 1/3 cup Beef bones
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 cloves of garlic, crushed
1 stalk celery leaf, finely chopped
1 stalk green onion, finely chopped
800 ml water
In a soup pot, pour your water and add the beef bones. Turn the stove on high and begin adding the rest
of your ingredients. Let this heat to a boil then turn it off.
Back to the meat balls:
After the meat has chilled for 45 minutes you will need to get another soup pot. We are going to form
the meat into meat balls and drop them into a boiling pot of water. So put a pot on big enough to do so
and heat the water to a boil. While the water is heating take 2 tablespoons of meat and in your hands
roll it into a round ball. Make several until the water is boiling. Once boiling drop the balls one by one
into the boiling water. Once the balls float to the top then they are ready. Take the cooked meat balls
out and put in a colander.
You now have the essence of Bakso, the meat balls and the broth. This is divided into soup bowls and
then ingredients of your choice can be added. Half a cup of cooked egg noodles is popular. Some like a
leaf of spinach in it as well. Bakso is often garnished with sweet soy sauce, fried shallots and parsley.
Bakso can also be made with fish instead of meat. Just replace the meat for fish when making the balls.
Nasi Goreng
Nasi Goreng literally means fried rice and that is exactly what it is. Indonesians can make Nasi goring
with anything left in the house. Sometimes just hot sauce and rice and they love it. Really there is no
standard recipe for Nasi Goreng but I have a recipe that is very tasty.
Ingredients
1 Chicken fillet, cut into small pieces
2 cups of cold cooked rice
2 tablespoons of oil
1/2 cup cabbage, shredded
2 eggs
Spice Mix
1 tablespoon of fried shallots
3 shallots or 1 medium onion, peeled and sliced
2 cloves of garlic, peeled and sliced
1/2 medium fresh tomato
2 tablespoon sweet soy sauce
Salt to tast.
Traditionally Indonesians take the spice mix and smash it all down to a paste in a mortar and pestle. A
food processor works also. So take the ingredients for the spice mix and smash or process it into a paste
and set aside for later.
Next we are going to take a frying pan or wok and add a tablespoon of oil and heat on medium heat.
Beat your eggs and pour them into the wok like an omelet. Once your omelet is done set it aside on a
plate and let it cool. Once cool roll it up and slice it into strips.
Now in the same pan add the rest of your oil and your chicken. Cook the chicken till brown. After the
chicken is brown add the spice paste and sauteé it for several minutes or until the smell of the spices has
filled the room. Spice mixes when done smell really good. Once youve got the fragrance you're looking
for add the cabbage. Cook for several minutes then add your rice and mix it in real well. Stir the rice
constantly. Add your sweet soy sauce and stir it in until it is thoroughly mixed with the rice.
Use a bowl to mold the rice. Smash the fried rice into the bowl and then turn the bowl over on top of a
plate. Garnish the molded rice with the egg strips and fried shallots.
Happy eating!
