Traditional Indonesian Gado-Gado Recipe

Ingredients

  • 200g of long beans
  • 2 medium carrots
  • 200g of bean sprouts
  • 200g of cabbage
  • 4 medium potatoes
  • 200g of tofu
  • 200g of tempeh
  • 4 boiled eggs
  • 100g of cucumber
  • 1 bunch of spinach
  • 1 bag of prawn crackers
    • For Peanut Sauce:
  • 200g of roasted peanuts
  • 3 cloves of garlic
  • 2 red chillies
  • 1 teaspoon of tamarind paste
  • 1 tablespoon of palm sugar
  • 1 tablespoon of kecap manis (sweet soy sauce)
  • 200ml of water

Steps and instructions

  1. Start by preparing the vegetables. Clean and cut the long beans and carrots into bite-sized pieces. Clean the bean sprouts and cabbage, and chop the cabbage into large pieces.
  2. Boil the potatoes until they are cooked and soft. Once done, peel and cut them into wedges.
  3. Fry the tofu and tempeh until they are golden brown. Once done, cut them into bite-sized pieces.
  4. Boil the eggs, peel them, and cut into halves.
  5. Peel and slice the cucumber. Wash and drain the spinach.
  6. Prepare the peanut sauce. Start by grinding the roasted peanuts until they are finely ground. Set aside.
  7. Grind the garlic and red chillies into a paste. Mix this with the ground peanuts.
  8. Add the tamarind paste, palm sugar, and kecap manis to the peanut mixture. Mix well.
  9. Slowly add water to the peanut mixture while stirring until it reaches your desired consistency.
  10. Arrange the vegetables, tofu, tempeh, and eggs on a serving plate. Pour the peanut sauce over the top. Garnish with prawn crackers before serving.

Tools for making

Recipe variations

  • Use different vegetables such as cucumber, green beans, or broccoli according to personal preference.
  • Replace tofu and tempeh with grilled chicken or shrimp for a meat option.
  • Add sliced boiled potatoes to give the dish a heartier texture.
  • Experiment with different types of leafy greens like kale or Swiss chard.
  • Include additional toppings such as fried shallots or crushed peanuts for extra flavor and crunch.
  • Try using almond butter or cashew butter instead of peanuts for the sauce.
  • For a spicier version, add more red chillies or a dash of chili powder to the peanut sauce.
  • Include other condiments like lime juice, soy sauce, or sambal oelek to adjust the flavor to your liking.
  • For a gluten-free option, use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free.

Recipe overview

Gado-Gado is a traditional Indonesian salad that combines an array of boiled and fresh vegetables with hard-boiled eggs, fried tofu, and tempeh. It's all brought together by a rich and flavorful peanut sauce. This dish is versatile and customizable, allowing you to pick and choose your preferred ingredients. It's a great way to use up leftover vegetables, and it's balanced and nutritious, perfect for a light lunch or dinner. This recipe provides step-by-step instructions to create this classic Indonesian dish at home. You'll learn how to prepare the vegetables, create the delicious peanut sauce, and assemble a beautiful and appetizing Gado-Gado. So gather your ingredients and get ready for a taste of Indonesia.

Common questions

  1. Can I use different vegetables for Gado-Gado?
    Yes, you can customize the vegetables based on your preference. Some common variations include using cucumber, spinach, cabbage, bean sprouts, long beans, and carrots.
  2. Can I use different protein sources instead of tofu and tempeh?
    Absolutely! Gado-Gado is versatile, and you can use grilled chicken, boiled shrimp, or even sliced beef as alternatives to tofu and tempeh.
  3. Is there a substitute for palm sugar?
    If you don't have palm sugar, you can use brown sugar or coconut sugar as a substitute.
  4. Can I make the peanut sauce in advance?
    Yes, you can prepare the peanut sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Just make sure to reheat it gently before serving.
  5. Can I make Gado-Gado vegetarian or vegan?
    Yes! Just make sure to omit the eggs or replace them with a vegan alternative. Use soy sauce instead of kecap manis and ensure that the tofu and tempeh are vegan-friendly.
  6. Can I adjust the spiciness of the peanut sauce?
    Yes, you can adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or fewer red chillies. If you prefer it milder, you can remove the seeds from the chillies before grinding them.

Serving dishes and utensils

  • Large pot - For boiling the vegetables, potatoes, and eggs.
  • Frying pan - To fry the tofu and tempeh until golden brown.
  • Knife - For cutting the vegetables, tofu, tempeh, and eggs.
  • Cutting board - To provide a clean and safe surface for cutting the ingredients.
  • Grinder or food processor - To grind the roasted peanuts and make the peanut sauce.
  • Serving plate - Where the assembled Gado-Gado will be presented.
  • Spoon - For stirring the peanut sauce and serving the dish.
  • Tongs - To handle the boiled vegetables and eggs safely.
  • Garnish tray - To hold the prawn crackers for garnishing the dish.

Origin stories

Gado-Gado, often dubbed as the national dish of Indonesia, is a testament to the country's rich and diverse culinary tradition. Its name, which roughly translates to "mix-mix," speaks volumes about its nature and preparation. It's a delightful mix of blanched and fresh vegetables, tofu, tempeh, hard-boiled eggs, all brought together under a drizzle of spicy peanut sauce. The beauty of Gado-Gado lies in its flexibility and adaptability. Originating from the bustling streets of Betawi, Jakarta's local culture, this dish has found its way across the archipelago and even beyond, each version reflecting the unique produce of its region. The solid foundation of a flavorful peanut sauce brings unity to the diversity, symbolizing the Indonesian motto "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika," which means "unity in diversity."

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.