Madiun Pecel is a traditional Javanese dish from Madiun, Indonesia. It is a popular and beloved meal featuring a mix of steamed vegetables served with a spicy peanut sauce. This dish is not only delicious but also nutritious and can be customized to suit your taste. Here’s how you can make Madiun Pecel at home.
Ingredients
For the Peanut Sauce:
- 200 grams of roasted peanuts
- 4 cloves of garlic
- 3 red chili peppers (adjust to taste)
- 2 bird's eye chilies (optional, for extra heat)
- 1 teaspoon of tamarind paste, dissolved in 2 tablespoons of water
- 2 tablespoons of palm sugar (or brown sugar)
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 200 ml of water
For the Vegetables:
- 200 grams of spinach
- 200 grams of bean sprouts
- 200 grams of long beans, cut into 5 cm pieces
- 200 grams of cabbage, thinly sliced
- 200 grams of cucumber, sliced
- 200 grams of water spinach (kangkung)
- 2 large carrots, sliced
For Serving:
- Steamed rice or rice cakes (lontong)
- Fried tempeh or tofu
- Kerupuk (Indonesian crackers)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Peanut Sauce:
- Blend the roasted peanuts, garlic, red chili peppers, and bird's eye chilies into a coarse paste using a food processor or mortar and pestle.
- Transfer the peanut mixture into a bowl and add the tamarind paste, palm sugar, salt, and water. Mix well until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more water if necessary.
2. Prepare the Vegetables:
- Blanch the spinach, bean sprouts, long beans, cabbage, and water spinach in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then drain and set aside.
- Steam or boil the carrots until tender, then set aside.
- Slice the cucumber thinly and set aside.
3. Assemble the Dish:
- Arrange the blanched and raw vegetables on a large serving plate.
- Add the steamed rice or rice cakes, fried tempeh or tofu, and kerupuk on the side.
- Drizzle the peanut sauce generously over the vegetables.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips
- Spice Level: Adjust the number of chili peppers according to your preferred spice level.
- Peanut Sauce: For a richer sauce, you can add a bit of coconut milk.
- Vegetable Variety: Feel free to use other vegetables you like, such as green beans or kale.
- Protein: Add boiled eggs or shredded chicken for extra protein.
Variations
- Pecel Lele: Serve the pecel with fried catfish (lele) instead of tempeh or tofu.
- Pecel Ayam: Replace the fried tempeh or tofu with fried chicken pieces.
- Pecel with Quinoa: For a healthier twist, use quinoa instead of rice.
Nutritional Information
A serving of Madiun Pecel (approximately 300 grams) typically contains:
- Calories: 350-400 kcal
- Protein: 12-15 grams
- Carbohydrates: 45-50 grams
- Fat: 15-20 grams
- Fiber: 8-10 grams
Conclusion
Madiun Pecel is a versatile and nutritious dish that is easy to prepare. Its rich peanut sauce combined with fresh vegetables makes it a healthy and satisfying meal. Whether you stick to the traditional recipe or experiment with variations, Madiun Pecel is sure to delight your taste buds. Enjoy this flavorful Javanese dish with your family and friends!
