Nasi Goreng (Fried Rice)

This dish is one of the most familiar and well-known Indonesian dishes. This is a marvelous way to use up leftover rice, chicken, and vegetables. It is important that the rice is cold and the grains separate before adding the other ingredients, so it's best to cook the rice the day before.

Ingredients

  • cooked rice - 350g/12 oz (you can use leftover rice)
  • garlic - 2 cloves, crushed
  • onion - 1 sliced
  • pork/beef/chicken fillet - 225g/8 oz
  • cooked prawns - 115g/4 oz, peeled
  • terasi - ½ in cubes
  • dark soy sauce - 2 tbsp, or tomato ketchup - 3-4 tbsp
  • water - 2 tbsp
  • eggs - 2
  • oil - 7 tbsp
  • fresh red chilies - 2-3, seeded and sliced
  • black pepper and salt
  • deep-fried onions, coriander sprigs and celery leaves

Method

  • Beat the eggs with seasoning and the water and make 2-3 omelets in a frying pan. Roll up each omelet and cut in strips when cold. Set aside.
  • Cut the beef or pork into neat strips and put the meat, prawns in separate bowls. Then shred one of the chilies and reserve it.
  • Place the terasi, with the remaining chilies, onion and garlic in the food processor and grind to a paste.
  • Fry the paste in the hot oil (without browning) until it give off a rich and spicy aroma.
  • Add the meat, tossing the meat all the time to seal in the juices. Cook for 2 minutes and stirring constantly.
  • Add the prawns, and cook for 2 minutes and then stir in the rice, dark soy sauce and seasoning. Stir all the time to keep the rice light and fluffy. Prevent it from sticking.
  • Turn on to a hot dish and garnish with the omelet strips, shredded chilies, deep-fried onions, coriander sprigs and celery leaves. Serves 4-6.

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