Description
Ayam smoor is a rich Indonesian braised chicken dish with a fragrant spice paste and sweet savory sauce, perfect for a comforting dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 3/4 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 3 shallots
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 Indonesian bay leaves, optional
- 1 red chili pepper (such as a jalapeño)
- 1 stalk lemongrass
- 1 tomato
- 6 tablespoons kecap manis (see above for a subsitute)
- 1 tablespoon palm sugar (gula jawa), or brown sugar
- 2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Vegetable oil
Instructions
- In a food processor, blend the shallots, garlic, red chili, tomato, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, palm sugar (or brown sugar), into a smooth spice paste.
- Heat a splash of vegetable oil in a Dutch oven or wok and sauté the spice paste for a few minutes over medium heat.
- Add 1 1/4 cups water along with 6 tablespoons kecap manis (see above for a subsitute). Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add the chicken thighs along with the Indonesian bay leaves (optional) and a bruised lemongrass stalk. Cover and let it braise for at least 90 minutes. Remove the lid and let it cook for another 15 to 30 minutes, until the sauce has slightly thickened.
Notes
Try making smoor with pork (babi) or beef (daging) as well!
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Indonesian