Authentic Balinese Indonesian Satay Chicken Recipes

SATAY CHICKEN WITH RESTAURANT STYLE PEANUT SAUCE (INDONESIAN/BALI STYLE)

Steps:

• Cut the chicken into 1.5cm/0.5" cubes. Thread onto skewers - 4 to 5 pieces per skewer.
• Combine kecap manis and butter, then brush onto chicken.
• Cook the skewers on a hot BBQ (outdoor grill) or on the stove in a large non stick fry pan (add a splash of oil, and make sure the skewers will fit in the pan). Grill/broiler would also work.
• Serve, garnished with crushed peanuts, shallots and with lime wedges and Peanut Sauce on the side.
• Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium high heat. Add garlic, onion and chillis and cook for 3 minutes until onion is translucent.
• Turn heat down to medium, then add peanut butter, coconut milk, kecap manis, soy sauce and salt. Simmer for 10 minutes, whisking occasionally.
• Use a handheld stick to puree (so the onion and chilli blends throughout the sauce - this is key). (See Note 2 for blending instructions) Stir through crushed peanuts and lime juice and simmer for 2 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before serving or to room temperature - it will thicken.

AUTHENTIC BALINESE INDONESIAN SATAY CHICKEN

Steps:

• Mix the marinade ingredients (tamarind pulp through oil), add chicken and set aside to marinade for at least 20 minutes.
• To prepare the peanut sauce heat the oil in a saucepan add chillies and garlic and cook over medium heat until soft (about 5 minutes). put the mixture into the food processor and add the peanuts, salt and sugar. Process briefly so that the peanuts are still chunky. Add hot water and process again to make a thick sauce.
• Thread 4 chicken cubes onto each skewer. Grill on the barbecue or griddle pan until golden brown on both sides and cooked inside. Serve with dipping bowls of peanut sauce rice or pita bread and fresh cucumber salad.

BALINESE CHICKEN SATAY

Steps:

• Thinly slice then finely chop the shallots, garlic and ginger. Now finely chop the chilli, including the seeds. This amount of chilli gives a spicy but not too fiery kick to the chicken satay, but discard the seeds if you don't like the heat.
• Heat the oil in a frying pan over a low heat. Add the shallots, garlic, ginger and chillies and fry for 1-2 minutes just to soften. Pour in a couple of tablespoons of water to soften, then stir in the spices (and freeze-dried lime leaves, if using) and fry for a minute.
• Remove the pan from the heat, let the mixture cool down, then blend to a paste with a pestle and mortar, using an up-and-down motion with the pestle. It will take several minutes to make a soft paste.
• Mix the spice paste, the coconut and, if using, the shredded fresh lime leaves with the minced chicken. Season with salt.
• Break off pieces of the mixture the size of a large walnut. For each, flatten into a round and lay a lemongrass stalk or wooden skewer in the centre. Mould around the bulbous end of the stalk (or skewer), working it so it goes about 8cm up it.
• Rough up the surface a little with your fingers so that the meat is not completely smooth and has some texture, then set aside while you shape the rest of the skewers. Brush each skewer with extra oil.
• Cook the skewers on a preheated BBQ, griddle pan or grill for 8-10 minutes, turning several times. Serve on banana leaves.