Imagine this: it's a fresh summer day, and you are about to finish your afternoon with a flavorful and aromatic bowl of gado gado. This traditional Indonesian salad features an irresistible peanut sauce, perfect for the veggie-hating child in all of us. Plus, it's super healthy and downright delicious!
Keep reading, and we'll share a traditional recipe, perfect for everyday dinners or family get-togethers.
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Why You’ll Love This Family Recipe
As a wellness advocate, award-winning author, and passionate business owner, Metta Murdaya knows the importance of healthy eating and mindful living. These principles are deeply woven into everything that we do here at JUARA, from our skincare creations to our wellness retreats to our tea blends.
Metta's award-winning book, Jamu Lifestyle, contains a collection of illustrations, stories, and recipes - including this gado gado recipe. It's a family recipe that features all the essential ingredients and classic flavors.
So, what goes into this gado gado recipe?
The core component of gado gado is the peanut sauce. Often called "gado gado sauce," peanut sauce adds a sweet and savory edge to the salad, which you can use to mask the unappealing taste of the vegetables.
It's the key to getting your kids to finally scarf down their veggies!
There are many variations to gado gado, so feel free to make your own depending on your dietary needs and taste preferences.
For example, many gado gado recipes call for sweet soy sauce (kecap manis), coconut milk, shrimp paste, prawn crackers, or satay sauce. Some versions even contain rice or chicken!
You can also add any other vegetables that you want, including broccoli, carrots, or bell peppers, as well as any other seasonings like cilantro or garlic.
Bonus: How to Prepare Lemongrass for Cooking
Gado Gado Recipe (Indonesian Salad with Peanut Dressing)
This family recipe is featured in Jamu Lifestyle, a book written by our founder, Metta Murdaya. This book contains countless other recipes and DIYs, including a simpler version of this gado gado recipe if you're low on time or energy.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
Peanut Sauce Ingredients
- 2 cups peanuts, deep fried
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1/4 cup palm sugar
- 1 tbsp tamarind paste (you can also use 1 tbsp fresh tamarind soaked in 1/3 cup warm water to separate the seeds)
- 1 cup hot water
- 2 limes, juiced
- Thai chilis
Salad Ingredients
- 2 boiled potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 4 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and quartered
Optional Ingredients
- blanched cabbage
- blanched bean sprouts
- blanched green beans
- blanched spinach
- raw cucumber
- boiled chayote
- blanched sweet corn, whole
- blanched or canned baby jackfruit
- deep fried bean curd or tofu
- deep fried bean cake or tempeh
- deep fried shallots or onions
- deep fried melinjo crackers (you can also use shrimp crackers)
Instructions
Peanut Sauce
- Add your deep fried (or roasted) peanuts, salt, palm sugar, and Thai chilis to a food processor. Process until the mixture is well blended. Remove from the food processor and add to a mixing bowl.
- Add your tamarind paste (or tamarind juice) and lime juice and mix well.
- Slowly add the hot water to the mixture while stirring. Add just enough hot water to get the consistency of a creamy and full-bodied peanut sauce. It should be able to evenly coat the vegetables.
Serving
- Place your hard-boiled eggs, potatoes, blanched vegetables, and other optional ingredients on a large family-style serving plate or on individual serving bowls.
- Pour the peanut sauce into a small bowl and set aside.
- Immediately prior to serving the gado gado, pour the peanut sauce over the salad and mix well.
- Add optional toppings, such as fried shallots, tempeh, or shrimp crackers.
- Enjoy!
Keep Reading: 5 Health Benefits of Cardamom, Backed by Science
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People Also Ask
What is gado gado made of?
Gado gado is a traditional Indonesian dish that usually consists of boiled potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, vegetables, and peanut sauce. Many gado gado dishes are often made with tempeh, shrimp paste, soy sauce, or satay sauce. Some of the most popular vegetable choices include green beans, bean sprouts, spinach, or cabbage.
What is the difference between gado gado sauce and satay sauce?
Gado gado sauce and satay sauce are both peanut-based sauces, but they have some key differences. Gado gado sauce, often called "peanut sauce," is a warm salad dressing, while satay sauce is a dip sauce for grilled skewered meat.
Is gado gado healthy?
Yes! Gado gado is a healthy dish that contains an assortment of vegetables, as well as potatoes, eggs, and a delicious peanut sauce. Even though it's loaded with vegetables, the peanut sauce makes it savory and sweet, minimizing the taste of the greens.
It also pairs perfectly with a glass of jamu!
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