Nasi Goreng

 

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp oil
• 150g chicken breast , thinly sliced (or other protein)
• 1 tbsp kecap manis (sweet soy sauce, Note 1)
• 1.5 tbsp oil
• 2 garlic cloves , finely chopped
• 1 tsp red chilli , finely chopped (Note 2)
• 1 onion , small, diced
• 3 cups cooked white rice , day old, cold (Note 3)
• 2 tbsp kecap manis (sweet soy sauce, Note 1)
• 2 tsp shrimp paste , optional (Note 4)
• Garnishes / side servings (optional)
• 4 eggs , fried to taste
• 1 green onion , sliced
• Tomatos and cucumbers, cut into wedges/chunks
• Fried shallots , store bought (optional) (Note 3)
• Lime wedges

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat.
2. Add chilli and garlic, stir for 10 seconds.
3. Add onion, cook for 1 minute.
4. Add chicken, cook until it mostly turns white, then add 1 tbsp kecap manis and cook for a further 1 minute or until chicken is mostly cooked through and a bit caramelised.
5. Add rice, 2 tbsp kecap manis and shrimp paste, if using. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes until sauce reduces down and rice grains start to caramelise (key for flavour!).
6. Serve, garnished with garnishes of choice (green onions, red chilli, fried shallots).

Notes

1. Kecap Manis (sometimes called Ketjap Manis) is an Indonesian sweet soy sauce that is thicker than other soy sauces. Sometimes just labelled as "sweet soy sauce". Consistency resembles maple syrup, available in most supermarkets in Australia (Woolworths, Coles, Harris Farms).

Also easy to make your own! Just combine 1/4 cup ordinary soy sauce (I use Kikkoman) and 1/4 cup brown sugar over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and reduce until it becomes a maple syrup consistency. It will thicken more when it cools.

2. Chilli - I use 2 birds eye or Thai red chillies, adds a mild warmth, doesn't make it spicy. Adjust to taste. Chilli paste can also be used instead - add it when you add the rice.

3. Day old cooked rice - All types of fried rice are best made using day old cooked rice that has been refrigerated overnight. It dries it out, making it easier to stir fry to evenly coat the grains with the flavourings. TIP: Keep bags of cooked rice in the freezer! Fabulous for fried rice, or even using plain.

4. Shrimp paste - Adds depth of flavour and complexity, but is optional. Traditional dish uses belacan which is dried shrimp blocks, requires crumbling then toasting prior to use. Same flavour achieved with any shrimp paste which you can just dollop in. Any shrimp paste brand/type is fine.

Still tasty WITHOUT shrimp paste. SUB with more kecap mans OR 1 tbsp fish sauce!

5. Fried shallots are slices shallots that have been fried until crunchy. They are a great garnish and add a pop of texture to the dish but are optional because it's not traditional! 

Source: Recipe tin eats