Balinese Cuisine Recipes: 5 Popular Food

Balinese Cuisine Recipes: 5 Popular Food – Balinese cuisine is a unique blend of Indonesian, Chinese, and Indian influences, making it one of the most flavorful and diverse cuisines in the world. It is a perfect example of how traditional food can be transformed into something new and exciting.

Balinese cuisine is known for its bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and the use of aromatic herbs and spices. In this article, we will introduce you to some of the most popular Balinese cuisine recipes that you can try at home.

Lawar

Lawar is a traditional Balinese salad that is usually served as a side dish. It is made with a mixture of finely chopped vegetables, coconut, and spices. The salad is usually served with grilled chicken or fish. To make Lawar, you will need:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup grated coconut
• 1/2 cup chopped green beans
• 1/2 cup chopped bean sprouts
• 1/2 cup grated unripe papaya
• 1/2 cup grated young jackfruit
• 2 red chilies, chopped
• 1 tablespoon tamarind pulp
• 1 tablespoon palm sugar
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Toast the shredded coconut in a pan until it gets golden.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped green beans, bean sprouts, grated unripe papaya, grated young jackfruit, and chopped red chilies.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the tamarind pulp, palm sugar, and salt to make a dressing.
4. Mix the dressing into the vegetables.
5. Finally, add the roasted grated coconut to the mixture and mix well. Serve with grilled chicken or fish.

Babi Guling

Babi Guling, a roasted pig dish popular on the Balinese island, is reserved for festive occasions. Several spices are marinated in oil and roasted over an open flame. The end product is meat that is so tender and full of flavor that it’s practically irresistible. The ingredients for Babi Guling are:

Ingredients:

• 1 whole suckling pig
• 10 cloves garlic, chopped
• 5 red chilies, chopped
• 5 shallots, chopped
• 1 tablespoon ginger paste
• 1 tablespoon turmeric powder
• 1 tablespoon coriander powder
• 1 tablespoon cumin powder
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 tablespoons oil

Instructions:

1. In a blender, blend the garlic, red chilies, shallots, ginger paste, turmeric powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, and salt to make a marinade.
2. Rub the marinade all over the suckling pig and let it sit for at least 2 hours.
3. Preheat the oven to 200°C.
4. Place the marinated pig on a roasting rack and roast it for 3 hours, or until the skin is crispy and the meat is cooked through.
5. Serve with steamed rice and Lawar.

Sate Lilit

The iconic Indonesian cuisine sate is the inspiration for Sate Lilit, a Balinese take on the dish. Mix ground beef with coconut flakes and seasonings before shaping into skewers. The end product is a meatball on a stick that is both juicy and flavorful. Everything you’ll need for Sate Lilit are:

Ingredients:

• 500 grams minced chicken or pork
• 1 cup grated coconut
• 2 shallots, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 red chilies, chopped
• 1 tablespoon tamarind pulp
• 1 tablespoon palm sugar
• Salt to taste
• Lemongrass or bamboo skewers, soaked

Instructions:

1. In a blender, blend the grated coconut, shallots, garlic, red chilies, tamarind pulp, palm sugar, and salt to make a spice paste.
2. In a mixing bowl, mix the spice paste with the minced meat until well combined.
3. Take a small portion of the mixture and mold it around the lemongrass or bamboo skewers.
4. Grill the skewers over medium heat until the meat is cooked through and slightly charred.
5. Serve with peanut sauce and steamed rice.

Nasi Goreng

Nasi Goreng is a popular Indonesian fried rice dish that is also commonly found in Balinese cuisine. It is made with cooked rice that is stir-fried with a mixture of meat, vegetables, and spices. It is a perfect dish to use up leftover rice and is also quick and easy to make. If you want to make Nasi Goreng, you will need:

Ingredients:

• 3 cups cooked white rice, chilled
• 200 grams chicken or shrimp, cooked and chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 red chilies, chopped
• 2 tablespoons sweet soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon shrimp paste
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Oil for frying
• Fried egg and sliced cucumber for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a pan, heat some oil and fry the onion, garlic, and red chilies until fragrant.
2. Add the chopped meat and fry until cooked through.
3. Add the chilled cooked rice and stir-fry until well combined with the meat mixture.
4. Add the sweet soy sauce, fish sauce, shrimp paste, salt, and pepper, and continue to stir-fry until the rice is evenly coated with the sauce.
5. Serve with a fried egg and sliced cucumber on top.

Sambal Matah

Sambal Matah is a raw Balinese condiment that is made with a mixture of finely chopped shallots, lemongrass, red chilies, and lime juice. It is usually served as a condiment for grilled meat or fish. It is a simple yet flavorful condiment that will elevate any dish. To make Sambal Matah, you will need:

Ingredients:

• 5 shallots, thinly sliced
• 3 red chilies, thinly sliced
• 2 stalks lemongrass, thinly sliced
• 2 kaffir lime leaves, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 tablespoon oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, mix the thinly sliced shallots, red chilies, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves.
2. Add the lime juice, oil, salt, and pepper, and mix well.
3. Serve as a condiment for grilled meat or fish.

In conclusion, Balinese cuisine is a unique and flavorful blend of different culinary influences that will tantalize your taste buds. These Balinese cuisine recipes are just a few examples of the many dishes that you can try at home. So, don your apron and start cooking up a storm. Enjoy your meal!