Gado Gado

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with Gado Gado, a vibrant and delicious Indonesian salad dish. This vegetarian recipe features a medley of blanched vegetables, such as cabbage, French beans, carrots, cauliflower florets, and beansprouts, tossed together and served with a flavorful peanut dressing.

The vegetables are cooked separately until crisp-tender, then chilled to retain their vibrant colors and textures. The dressing, made with fried peanuts, garlic, onion, chilli powder, and a touch of sweetness, brings a nutty and tangy flavor to the dish. It’s poured over the cold vegetables just before serving, creating a delightful combination of tastes and textures.

Gado Gado is not only delicious but also a visually appealing dish, with its colorful assortment of vegetables and a generous drizzle of peanut dressing. It can be enjoyed as a refreshing appetizer, a light lunch, or a side dish to accompany other Indonesian specialties.

INGREDIENTS

For the dressing:

• 100ml/4fl oz vegetable oil
• 100g/4oz unsalted peanuts
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon chilli powder
• 1/2 teaspoon soft brown sugar
• Salt
• Juice of 1/2 lemon

For the salad:

• 100g/4oz white cabbage, shredded
• 100g/4oz French beans, cut into three pieces
• 100g/4oz carrots, cut into matchsticks
• 100g/4oz cauliflower florets
• 100g/4oz beansprouts

PREPARATIONS

1. Cook each vegetable separately in a saucepan of salted boiling water for 4-5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain well and chill in cold water to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, drain again and set aside.
2. To make the dressing, heat the vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the peanuts and fry, tossing frequently, for 3-4 minutes until golden. Remove the peanuts from the pan using a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper. Finely chop the peanuts in a blender or food processor or crush them with a rolling pin until they have a fine texture, but not completely powdered.
3. In the same frying pan, reserve all but 1 tablespoon of the oil and fry the crushed garlic and finely chopped onion for 1 minute. Add the chilli powder, soft brown sugar, a pinch of salt, and 450ml/3/4pt water. Bring the mixture to a boil.
4. Stir in the chopped peanuts and simmer the sauce for 4-5 minutes until it thickens slightly. Remove the pan from the heat and add the lemon juice. Set the dressing aside to cool.
5. Arrange the chilled vegetables on a serving dish. Place the peanut dressing in a small bowl in the center or drizzle it over the vegetables directly. Serve the Gado Gado immediately.

YIELD

This recipe serves 4 people.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

• Customize the selection of vegetables based on your preference and availability. Other popular choices for Gado Gado include cucumber, tofu, sprouts, and potatoes.
• Adjust the spiciness of the dressing by adding more or less chilli powder according to your taste.
• Gado Gado can be enjoyed as a standalone dish or served with steamed rice or prawn crackers for a more substantial meal.
• Garnish the dish with fried shallots, fresh coriander leaves, or sliced boiled eggs for added flavor and presentation.

TIPS

• Ensure that the vegetables are blanched until they are crisp-tender to maintain their vibrant colors and textures.
• To save time, you can prepare the dressing in advance and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use. Just remember to bring it to room temperature before serving.
• Feel free to add a squeeze of lime juice or a dash of soy sauce to the dressing for additional flavor complexity.
• Leftover Gado Gado can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a day or two, but it is best enjoyed fresh.

Gado Gado is a delightful Indonesian salad dish that combines blanched vegetables with a flavorful peanut dressing. This refreshing and nutritious dish is not only visually appealing but also offers a delightful blend of textures and flavors.

The assortment of blanched vegetables, including cabbage, French beans, carrots, cauliflower florets, and beansprouts, provides a vibrant and crunchy base for the dish. Each vegetable retains its individual texture and flavor, creating a harmonious and satisfying combination.

The peanut dressing, made with fried peanuts, garlic, onion, chilli powder, sugar, and lemon juice, adds a nutty, tangy, and slightly spicy element to the dish. The dressing perfectly complements the vegetables, adding richness and depth of flavor.

Gado Gado can be enjoyed as a refreshing appetizer, a light lunch, or a side dish to accompany other Indonesian specialties. It is a versatile dish that can be customized to include additional vegetables or protein sources such as tofu or boiled eggs.

Prepare to be delighted by the vibrant colors, textures, and flavors of Gado Gado as you savor each bite. Whether you are a fan of Indonesian cuisine or simply looking for a nutritious and delicious salad, Gado Gado is sure to impress with its fresh ingredients and tantalizing taste.