Indonesia Inspired Salad Dressing Recipes

ASIAN SESAME DRESSING

Steps:

• Place ingredients in a jar and shake well until sugar is dissolved. Adjust saltiness with salt and sweetness with sugar to taste.
• Keep for up to 3 weeks, in the fridge (to be safe). Bring to room temp and shake well before use.
• Single serving batch is enough for 3 - 4 cups of shredded cabbage / leafy greens i.e. a side salad for 4 people.
• Big batch - my rule of thumb for how much dressing to use is generally 1 tbsp of dressing per 1 packed cup of shredded vegetables and 2 tsp per handful of leafy greens.

GADO GADO (INDONESIAN SALAD WITH PEANUT SAUCE)

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium low heat. Bring to simmer then cook for 5 minutes, stirring regularly so the bottom doesn't catch, until it thickens. If too thick, just add more water - should be able to drizzle it (see video for thickness).
• Taste and adjust as follows: lime for more sour, salt, sugar for sweet.
• Cover and keep warm.
• Bring a saucepan of water to the boil.
• Add potatoes and cook for 5 minutes or until cooked through. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to colander to drain.
• Cook beansprouts for 3 minutes or until just wilted. Transfer to colander, press out excess water.
• Add spinach, push under to submerge - will instantly wilt. Remove, transfer to colander, press out excess water.
• Slice into 0.75 x 5 cm / 1/3 x 2" slices (or thereabouts).
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Cook tempeh 2 min on each side until deep golden and crispy. (Tofu ~ 1 1/2 min)
• Either make one platter for sharing, or individual. Vegetables and egg can be served warm or at room temp, sauce should be served warm (it thickens when cool).
• Place vegetables and tempeh on serving plate, top with egg.
• Pour sauce into serving bowl.
• Serve Gado Gado Salad with peanut sauce, peanuts for sprinkling, fresh chillies and prawn crackers on the side.

INDONESIA INSPIRED SALAD DRESSING

Steps:

• Mix all the ingredients (without the peanuts for the topping) with the food processor.
• Use as dressing and top with the crushed peanuts left.

INDONESIAN-STYLE CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Place the chicken in a large bowl, and season with salt and pepper. Add the white part of the scallions, the mint, cilantro, red pepper, minced chile pepper and sprouts. Toss together.
• Combine the lime juice, ginger, garlic, fish sauce and cayenne. Stir together. Add the peanut butter, and combine well. Whisk in the buttermilk. Taste and adjust seasonings.
• Line a platter with the lettuce leaves. Toss the chicken mixture with the dressing, and arrange over the lettuce. Sprinkle the peanuts and the scallion greens over the top, and serve.