Experience the Ultimate Gado-Gado with a Crispy Twist

If you're looking to add a burst of flavor and a touch of exotic flair to your culinary repertoire, look no further than Gado-gado. This vibrant Indonesian salad is not just a feast for the taste buds but also quite a visual treat. In this special edition, we have paired the traditional gourmet salad with our crispy Onion Chips to elevate the dish to new heights.

What is Gado-gado?

Gado-gado, which translates to "mix-mix," is a popular Indonesian salad that celebrates a mix of blanched and raw vegetables, tofu or tempeh, hard-boiled eggs, and sometimes lontong (rice cakes). The dish is often topped with rich and creamy peanut dressing and a handful of crunchy kerupuks (prawn crackers) to bring all the ingredients into perfect harmony.

Gado-gado is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a light meal, a side dish, or even as a hearty main course. Many Indonesian tribes have gado-gado on a daily basis as a household staple. Not only is it easy to prepare, gado-gado is packed with superfood veggie ingredients that are either served raw or just lightly blanched to preserve their valuable plant-based nutrients. Replacing the kerupuk toppings with Hey! Onion Chips also adds a delightful aromatic crunch that complements the salad perfectly. You have got to try it!

Now, let's learn how to make this healthy and delicious dish at home!

Recipe for Hey! Chips Gado-gado

Serving size: 2

Preparation time: 15min

Ingredients

The beauty of gado-gado lies in its flexibility. You can customize the ingredients based on your preferences and what’s available. Here’s a basic list to get you started:

Peanut Sauce:
- ½ cup coconut milk
- ⅓ cup peanut butter
- 4 tsp red curry paste
- ¾ tsp chopped garlic
- 3 tsp kecap manis (Indo sweet soy sauce)
- 1 ½ tbsp lime juice
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup water

Vegetables:
- Potatoes
- Carrots
- Bean sprouts
- Spinach or water spinach
- Cucumber

Protein:
- Firm tofu
- Teriyaki Sauce
- Hard-boiled eggs

Garnish:
- Hey! Chips Onion Chips (for a crispy topping)

Instructions

1. Make the Sauce: Add the ingredients for the peanut sauce in a saucepan over medium-low heat and stir until well combined with a smooth consistency. Cover and keep warm (it thickens when cool).
2. Cook/Prepare the Vegetables: Bring a saucepan of water to the boil. Cook potatoes for 5 minutes or until cooked through. Cook carrots for 5 minutes or until cooked through. Blanch bean sprouts for 3 minutes or until just wilted. Blanch spinach until wilted (almost instantly). Slice the raw cucumbers.
3. Cook the Protein: Boil an egg for 10 minutes (hard-boiled). Marinate the firm tofu in Teriyaki Sauce. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Cook the tofu for 1 ½ min on each side until deep golden and crispy.

Assembling the Gado-gado

Once you have all your ingredients ready, it’s time to assemble your Gado-gado:

1. Arrange the blanched and raw vegetables on a serving platter.
2. Place the tofu and hard-boiled eggs on top of the vegetables.
3. Generously drizzle the peanut sauce over the entire salad.
4. Sprinkle Hey! Chips Onion Chips over the top for a delicious and crunchy addition.
5. Gado-gado is best enjoyed fresh. Serve it immediately and watch as your guests delight in the flavors and textures of this Indonesian classic.
6. Use our Onion Chips as an eating plate!

Tips for a Perfect Gado-gado

- Fresh Ingredients: Use the freshest vegetables you can find for the best flavor and texture.
- Customise: Feel free to add or substitute vegetables based on what’s in season or your personal preference.
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of red curry paste in the peanut sauce to suit your heat tolerance.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the peanut sauce in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for a few months. Just reheat and add water if it thickens too much.
- Crispy Twist: With the spicy aroma of onions, Hey! Chips Onion Chips add a unique crunch and flavor to elevate the dish. Gado-gado is more than just a salad; it's a celebration of Indonesian cuisine's vibrant and rich flavors. Whether you're looking for a quick healthy meal or a dish to impress, gado-gado with Hey! Chips Onion Chips is a must-try. So, whip up that delicious peanut sauce, and enjoy the delightful medley of flavors and textures in every bite. Selamat makan! (Enjoy your meal!)

Image Credits:

Helou, A. (n.d.). GADO GADO – INDONESIAN SALAD. Peanut Butter & Co. https://ilovepeanutbutter.com/blogs/recipes/gado-gado-indonesian-salad