Authentic Indonesian Rujak: A Flavorful Fruit Salad Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 cucumber
  • 1 bengkoang
  • 1 pineapple
  • 1 papaya
  • 2 apples
  • 200 grams of peanuts
  • 3 red chili peppers
  • 100 grams of palm sugar
  • 1 tablespoon of tamarind paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of shrimp paste

Steps and instructions

  1. Peel and cut all the fruits into bite-sized pieces. Set aside in a bowl.
  2. Next, to make the peanut sauce, roast the peanuts in a pan until they become fragrant.
  3. After the peanuts cool down, grind them in a blender or food processor until they turn into a coarse powder.
  4. Grind the red chili peppers, palm sugar, tamarind paste, salt, and shrimp paste in a blender or food processor until they form a paste.
  5. Add the ground peanuts to the chili paste and mix well.
  6. Pour the peanut sauce over the cut fruit and mix until all the fruit is coated with the sauce.
  7. Serve the Rujak immediately to enjoy its refreshing taste.

Tools for making

  • Cutting board - used to chop and prepare the fruits and vegetables.
  • Knife - essential for cutting and slicing the fruits and vegetables.
  • Blender or food processor - used to grind the peanuts and chili paste.
  • Pan - for roasting the peanuts.
  • Bowl - to hold the cut fruits and mix them with the peanut sauce.

Recipe variations

  • Add shredded carrots for added crunch and color.
  • Include jicama (yam bean) in the fruit mixture for a unique texture.
  • Add sliced guava or mango for a tangy twist.
  • Replace peanuts with cashews or almonds for a different nutty flavor.
  • For a spicy kick, add chopped bird's eye chili peppers to the peanut sauce.
  • Include sliced cucumber and bean sprouts as additional toppings.
  • Add a squeeze of lime juice for extra freshness.
  • For a sweeter version, drizzle honey over the fruit mixture.
  • Replace palm sugar with brown sugar or maple syrup for a different sweetness profile.
  • Experiment with different types of chili peppers for varying levels of heat.

Recipe overview

Rujak is a traditional sweet and spicy fruit salad dish from Indonesia. This irresistible mix of fresh fruits drizzled with a tangy, spicy peanut sauce offers a delightful balance of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. The recipe involves a simple process of chopping a variety of fruits such as cucumbers, pineapples, papaya, and apples, and then coating them with a homemade peanut sauce. The sauce, made from roasted peanuts, red chili peppers, palm sugar, tamarind paste, salt, and shrimp paste, packs in a punch of flavor, making Rujak a must-try for food lovers. A serving of this refreshing salad is perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish. Get ready for a unique culinary experience with this Indonesian salad!

Common questions

  1. How do I prepare the fruits for Rujak?
    Peel and cut all the fruits into bite-sized pieces.
  2. How do I make the peanut sauce?
    Roast the peanuts until fragrant, then grind them into a coarse powder. Blend red chili peppers, palm sugar, tamarind paste, salt, and shrimp paste into a paste. Mix the ground peanuts with the chili paste.
  3. How should I serve Rujak?
    Serve the Rujak immediately after pouring the peanut sauce over the cut fruit.

Serving dishes and utensils

  • Knife - For peeling and cutting the fruits.
  • Bowl - To hold the cut fruits while preparing the peanut sauce.
  • Pan - To roast the peanuts.
  • Blender or Food Processor - To grind the peanuts and chili paste.
  • Serving Bowl - To mix the fruits with the peanut sauce and serve the Rujak.

Origin stories

Rujak, a popular fruit and vegetable salad in Indonesia, has an intriguing tradition associated with it. In Java, there is a unique celebration called "Rujakan", a prenatal ceremony for expecting mothers which takes place during their seventh month of pregnancy. The expecting mother is asked to make Rujak and share it with those in attendance. Why Rujak, you ask? Because the sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors of Rujak are believed to prepare the mother for the diverse flavors of life that she will pass onto her child, symbolizing readiness for motherhood. Not to mention, it's also a deliciously refreshing dish, loved by all!

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.