Rica-rica ayam pedas is a popular Indonesian dish that originated from the North Sulawesi region. Known for its spicy and tangy flavor, the dish is made with chicken and a special blend of spices known as bumbu rica-rica. In this article, we will take a closer look at the history of this dish, the ingredients used, and how to prepare it at home.
History of Bumbu Rica-Rica Ayam Pedas
Rica-rica ayam pedas is a traditional dish from the Minahasan people of North Sulawesi. The word "rica" means chili in the local dialect, while "rica-rica" refers to the spicy blend of herbs and spices used in the dish. The dish was traditionally made with wild boar or other game meat, but chicken is now the most commonly used protein.
Ingredients
To make bumbu rica-rica ayam pedas, you will need the following ingredients:
1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
4-5 bird's eye chilies, chopped
4-5 red chilies, chopped
4-5 shallots, chopped
4-5 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 tomato, chopped
1 stalk of lemongrass, bruised
3 kaffir lime leaves, torn
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp chicken bouillon powder
1/2 cup of water
2 tbsp of oil for frying
Preparation
1. Heat the oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and fry until browned. 2. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside. 3. In the same pan, add the shallots, garlic, and chilies. Saute until fragrant. 4. Add the chopped tomato, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves. Continue sauteing until the tomato is soft. 5. Add the chicken back to the pan and stir to coat with the spices. 6. Add the salt, sugar, and chicken bouillon powder. Stir to combine. 7. Pour in the water and bring to a boil. 8. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let simmer for 20-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Serving Suggestions
Bumbu rica-rica ayam pedas is best served with steamed white rice and a side of vegetables such as sauteed spinach or stir-fried green beans.
Variations
While chicken is the most common protein used in rica-rica ayam pedas, you can also use other meats such as beef, pork, or seafood. You can also adjust the level of spiciness by adding or reducing the amount of chili peppers used.
Tips and Tricks
- For a milder version of the dish, remove the seeds from the chili peppers before chopping. - To make the dish even spicier, add a few more bird's eye chilies or use a hotter variety of chili pepper. - To save time, you can use pre-made bumbu rica-rica seasoning instead of making your own.
Conclusion
Bumbu rica-rica ayam pedas is a delicious and spicy Indonesian dish that is easy to make at home. With a blend of aromatic herbs and spices, it's the perfect dish to warm you up on a cold day. Give it a try and let us know what you think! LSI Keywords: Indonesian dish, North Sulawesi, chicken, spices, spicy NLP Keywords: Bumbu rica-rica ayam pedas, tangy flavor, traditional dish, Minahasan people, sauteing.