Ayam Bakar Jawa (Javanese Grilled Chicken)

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken (cut into 4 or 6 pieces)
• 2 tbsp oil
• 4 bay leaves
• 1 tbsp coconut palm sugar (gula Jawa)
• 4 tbsp sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
• 4 cups water
• 5 shallots (or 2 small onions)
• 6 cloves garlic
• 2 inch ginger
• 2 inch galangal (or 1 inch ginger 1 tsp lemon juice)
• 2 lemongrass (white part only)
• 6 candlenuts (or cashews)
• 2 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp ground white pepper
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp salt (to taste)

Instructions

1. 1

   --- Steps ---

2. 2

   Blend spice paste till fine & set aside.

3. 3

   Heat oil in a large pan on a medium high.

4. 4

   When hot, add spice paste & bay leaves, fry until fragrant (abt 5 mins)

5. 5

   Add chicken & stir well until sauce thoroughly coats the chicken pieces (abt 10 mins)

6. 6

   Add sweet soy sauce & water, stir & bring to a boil.

7. 7

   Reduce heat low, cover pan partially & let it simmer until the sauce has reduced, thickened & coats the chicken (abt 45 mins)

8. 8

   Discard bay leaves & taste thickened spice paste to adjust seasoning.

9. 9

   Preheat oven to 200 deg C.

10. 10

    Grill/broil the chicken pieces until slightly charred (abt 20-30 mins), basting & flipping every 5 mins.

11. 11

    Serve hot with sambal (chili sauce) of choice, rice, side salad & soup (optional)