Jakarta Herb Haven

Jakarta Herb Haven is a vibrant and aromatic dish drawing inspiration from the traditional Indonesian salad known as Gado-Gado. This dish combines a medley of fresh vegetables, herbs, and a rich, flavorful peanut sauce that showcases the culinary diversity of Indonesia's capital city, Jakarta. Over the years, Gado-Gado has become a beloved dish due to its simplicity, nutritional value, and the way it brings together various textures and flavors.

Ingredients

• Carrots
• Cucumbers
• Green Beans
• Tofu
• Tempeh
• Lettuce
• Bean Sprouts
• Potatoes
• Peanuts
• Coconut Milk
• Garlic
• Shallots
• Red Chilies
• Lime Juice
• Salt
• Palm Sugar

Preparation

Preparing the Vegetables and Protein

1. Start by washing and peeling the carrots. Slice them into thin juliennes.
2. Slice the cucumbers into thin rounds.
3. Trim the ends of the green beans and cut them into 2-inch pieces.
4. Press the tofu to remove excess moisture and cut into bite-sized cubes.
5. Slice the tempeh into thin strips.
6. Rinse the lettuce and bean sprouts thoroughly under cold water.
7. Peel and dice the potatoes into small cubes.

Preparing the Sauce

1. Roast the peanuts until golden brown. Once cool, grind them into a coarse paste.
2. Mince the garlic and shallots.
3. Chop the red chilies finely.
4. In a saucepan, combine the ground peanuts, coconut milk, minced garlic, shallots, chopped red chilies, a squeeze of lime juice, a pinch of salt, and tablespoon of palm sugar. Stir until the mixture thickens.

Cooking Process

Blanching and Frying

1. In a large pot of salted boiling water, blanch the carrots, green beans, and potatoes for about 5 minutes each. Transfer to an ice bath immediately after to halt the cooking process.
2. In a skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Fry the tofu and tempeh until golden and crispy.

Assembling the Dish

1. On a large serving platter, layer the lettuce as the base.
2. Arrange the blanched carrots, green beans, potatoes, sliced cucumbers, bean sprouts, fried tofu, and tempeh over the top.
3. Generously drizzle the peanut sauce over the entire salad.

How to Enjoy Jakarta Herb Haven

The Jakarta Herb Haven is best enjoyed fresh. As the array of vibrant vegetables and proteins are layered and combined with the rich peanut sauce, ensure every bite captures the diversity of textures and flavors. Pair this dish with steamed jasmine rice or fried crackers for an authentic Indonesian experience. Always have a serving spoon ready, as this dish is perfect for sharing and meant to be enjoyed communally.

If you have leftovers, store the components separately to maintain freshness. Reheat the components gently before serving them again to ensure that the textures remain delightful.

Use a cooking timer to ensure each step is perfectly timed for the ultimate dining experience.