Ayam Bakar Solo: Solonese Grilled Chicken

Ingredients

• 1 medium-sized chicken, portioned into 4
• 6 shallots, peeled, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled, chopped
• 3 candlenuts, chopped
• 3 cm turmeric, peeled, chopped
• 2 cm ginger, peeled, chopped
• 1 tsp whole coriander seeds
• 0.5 tsp whole white peppercorns
• 2 Indonesian bay leaves (salam leaf)
• 1 lemongrass, use only the white part, bruised, knotted
• 3 cm galangal, bruised
• 0.5 tbsp palm sugar, saved
• 4 tbsp sweet soy sauce
• Salt to taste
• 400 ml water
• 3 tbsp cooking oil

Instructions

1. 1

   Using a blender or food processor, blend into a fine paste the: shallots, garlic, candlenuts, turmeric, ginger, white peppercorns and coriander.

2. 2

   Heat the cooking oil in a wok over medium high heat.

3. 3

   Sautee the spice paste, bay leaves, lemongrass and galangal until fragrant, around 3 minutes.

4. 4

   Add palm sugar, soy sauce and salt.

5. 5

   Add water, stir well.

6. 6

   Add the chicken, then mix it with the spices thoroughly.

7. 7

   Cover the wok and reduce the heat to medium low.

8. 8

   Continue cooking for about 40 minutes or until the chicken is done and most of the liquid has evaporated.

9. 9

   Grill the chicken until it is slightly charred.

10. 10

    Serve immediately.