Bebek Bumbu Hitam Madura Recipe

Origin: Madura, Indonesia | Cooking Time: 3 hours | Servings: 4-6

Introduction

Bebek Bumbu Hitam is a signature dish from Madura, Indonesia, known for its deep, rich, and bold black seasoning. The dish features slow-cooked duck in an aromatic blend of traditional spices, including blackened shallots and garlic, creating an intense and delicious umami flavor. This dish is often served with warm rice, sambal, and fresh herbs.

Ingredients

For the Duck:

• 1 whole duck (around 1 kg), cut into serving pieces
• 1.5 liters water
• 3 bay leaves
• 2 lemongrass stalks, bruised
• 2 kaffir lime leaves
• 2 tbsp tamarind juice
• 2 tbsp cooking oil
• Salt and sugar to taste

Spice Paste:

• 10 shallots, charred
• 6 cloves garlic, charred
• 5 candlenuts, toasted
• 1 tbsp coriander seeds
• 1 tbsp turmeric powder
• 1 tbsp galangal, minced
• 1 tbsp ginger, minced
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp palm sugar

For Garnish:

• Fried shallots
• Fresh basil leaves
• Sambal (chili paste)

Instructions

Preparing the Duck:

1. Clean the duck thoroughly and rub it with tamarind juice. Let it rest for 15 minutes, then rinse.
2. In a large pot, bring water to a boil and blanch the duck for 10 minutes to remove excess fat and impurities. Drain and set aside.

Making the Spice Paste:

1. Blend the charred shallots, garlic, and all spice paste ingredients into a smooth mixture.
2. In a pan, heat cooking oil and sauté the spice paste until fragrant, around 5 minutes.

Cooking the Duck:

1. Add the duck pieces into the pan with the spice paste and stir until evenly coated.
2. Pour in 1.5 liters of water, add bay leaves, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves.
3. Simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours until the duck is tender and the sauce turns dark.
4. Season with salt and sugar to taste.

Serving:

1. Serve hot with steamed rice.
2. Garnish with fried shallots and fresh basil leaves.
3. Pair with sambal for an extra spicy kick.

Tips

• For an even deeper black color, slow-cook the duck longer.
• Use free-range duck for a more authentic taste.
• Charred shallots and garlic are key to achieving the signature dark seasoning.

Conclusion

Bebek Bumbu Hitam Madura is a flavorful and aromatic dish that showcases the richness of Indonesian spices. The slow-cooked duck, combined with the intense black seasoning, delivers an unforgettable taste experience. Try making it at home and enjoy the authentic flavors of Madura!