Soto ayam, a traditional Indonesian chicken soup, is a flavorful and aromatic dish beloved by many. This comfort food is perfect for any occasion and can be made with a variety of ingredients to suit your taste. The cost of preparing soto ayam can vary, but on average, you can expect to spend around SGD 20-30, keeping in mind that prices may fluctuate over time.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
- 2 liters of water
- 4 stalks of lemongrass, bruised
- 4 kaffir lime leaves
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 cm galangal, bruised
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 2 tablespoons of cooking oil
- Spice Paste:
- 6 shallots
- 4 cloves of garlic
- 4 candlenuts
- 2 cm turmeric
- 2 cm ginger
- Garnishes:
- Cooked rice or rice noodles
- Hard-boiled eggs, sliced
- Chopped celery
- Fried shallots
- Lime wedges
Instructions:
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Prepare the Spice Paste:
- Grind or blend the shallots, garlic, candlenuts, turmeric, and ginger into a fine paste.
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Cook the Chicken:
- In a large pot, bring the water to a boil. Add the chicken pieces and simmer until they are fully cooked. Remove the chicken and set aside to cool. Once cooled, shred the meat.
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Flavor the Broth:
- In the same pot, add lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, bay leaves, and galangal to the chicken broth. Simmer for 30 minutes to infuse the flavors.
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Sauté the Spice Paste:
- Heat the cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the spice paste and sauté until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
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Combine and Simmer:
- Add the sautéed spice paste to the broth. Season with salt and sugar. Simmer for an additional 20 minutes.
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Assemble the Soto Ayam:
- Place a portion of rice or rice noodles in a bowl. Add the shredded chicken and pour the hot broth over it. Garnish with hard-boiled eggs, chopped celery, fried shallots, and a squeeze of lime juice.
Enjoy your homemade soto ayam, a dish that brings the essence of Indonesian cuisine to your table. Remember, the cost mentioned is an estimate and may vary. Happy cooking!
