Nasi Liwet Solo Recipe

Origin: Solo, Indonesia | Cooking Time: 1.5 hours | Servings: 4

Introduction

Nasi Liwet Solo is a flavorful Indonesian rice dish cooked in coconut milk, infused with aromatic spices, and served with opor ayam (chicken in coconut gravy), telur pindang (braised eggs), and labu siam (chayote). This dish is famous in Solo (Surakarta) and is often enjoyed for breakfast or special occasions.

Ingredients

For the Rice:

• 2 cups jasmine rice
• 400 ml coconut milk
• 200 ml water
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 kaffir lime leaves
• 1 lemongrass stalk, bruised
• 1 tsp salt

For the Side Dishes:

• 500 g chicken, cut into pieces
• 3 hard-boiled eggs
• 1 chayote (labu siam), julienned
• 500 ml coconut milk
• 2 tbsp sweet soy sauce
• 2 tbsp cooking oil

Spice Paste:

• 6 shallots
• 4 garlic cloves
• 2 candlenuts
• 1 tsp coriander seeds
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp galangal, grated

Instructions

Cooking the Rice:

1. Rinse the rice until the water runs clear, then drain.
2. In a pot, combine rice, coconut milk, water, bay leaves, kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, and salt.
3. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the rice is fully cooked and fragrant.

Preparing the Chicken and Eggs:

1. Blend the spice paste ingredients into a smooth mixture.
2. Heat oil in a pan, then sauté the spice paste until fragrant.
3. Add the chicken pieces and stir well.
4. Pour in coconut milk and let it simmer until the chicken is tender.
5. Add the boiled eggs and sweet soy sauce, letting them absorb the flavors.

Cooking the Chayote:

1. In another pan, heat a little oil and sauté the julienned chayote.
2. Add a pinch of salt and a splash of water, cooking until the chayote softens.

Serving:

1. Place the coconut-infused rice on a plate.
2. Top with chicken, eggs, and cooked chayote.
3. Optionally, serve with sambal and crispy fried shallots.

Tips

• Use pandan leaves for a more aromatic rice flavor.
• Slow-cook the chicken to let the flavors develop deeply.
• Serve with kerupuk (crackers) for added texture.

Conclusion

Nasi Liwet Solo is a dish that embodies the rich flavors of Javanese cuisine. The combination of creamy rice, savory chicken, and tender eggs creates a comforting meal that is perfect for any occasion.