Meal in a Bowl - Gado Gado

I remember eating my first gado-gado when I was in primary school. Wisps of vegetables smothered in peanut gravy, it was different from the traditional rojak that my mum used to make. I didn't think much of it and it was soon a forgotten memory. After turning vegetarian, I chanced upon gado-gado when I searching for a peanut sauce recipe online. I knew that this Indonesian salad would be a perfect meal in a bowl with nutritious vegetables and nuts. Also, the fat content is relatively low depending on how you prepare it and this can make a great raw salad dish. The vegetable crackers on top are just for the texture, they add a crunchy feel to it. If you are not able to get your hands on them, it can be simply omitted. Feel free to add any other vegetables of your choice. 

Gado-Gado

2 potatoes, peeled and boiled

200g cabbaged, shredded and blanched

100g long beans, cut to 2 inch size and blanched

3 tofu, cubed and fried/baked/pan-fried

1 cucumber, cut into thick pieces

a handful of bean sprouts, washed

vegetable crackers

Peanut Sauce:

1/2 tablespoon oil

50g onion, sliced

3 cloves garlic, pounded

400ml water

2 teaspoon chilli powder (or to taste)

30g tamarind soaked in 120ml water

6 tablespoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoon soy sauce

1 tablespoon dark soy sauce

300g roasted grated peanut

3 tablespoon sesame seed

Method:

1) In a pan, heat the oil and add the onions. Saute until fragrant. 

2) Add the garlic and let it brown for a minute.

3) Add the water and  chili powder. Bring to boil.

4) Bring the heat to low. Add the seasoning, tamarind water and peanut and sesame seeds.

5) Adjust the taste and bring to a simmer. Take it off the heat.

6) To assemble, add required amount of vegetables in a plate. Spoon over the peanut sauce. Crumble some vegetable crackers on top.