Balinese Recipes: Food That’s Easy to Follow

2 min read

Balinese Recipes: Food That’s Easy to Follow – Balinese cuisine is known for its bold and rich flavors, with a unique blend of spices and herbs. Some of the most popular dishes include sate lilit, lawar, and babi guling. If you want to try your hand at cooking Balinese dishes at home, here are some easy Balinese recipes to get you started:

Sate Lilit

Sate Lilit is a popular Balinese dish made with minced meat (usually chicken or fish), mixed with grated coconut, herbs, and spices, then skewered and grilled over hot coals. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 500g minced chicken or fish
  • 150g grated coconut
  • 4 shallots, finely chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 2 red chilies, finely chopped
  • 2 lemongrass stalks, finely chopped
  • 2 kaffir lime leaves, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. palm sugar
  • Thirty-minute-soaked bamboo skewers

Directions:

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine the minced chicken or fish, grated coconut, shallots, garlic, red chilies, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, salt, and palm sugar.
  2. Maintain a consistent consistency by thoroughly combining all of the components.
  3. Take a tablespoon of the mixture and shape it around the soaked bamboo skewers, forming a cylindrical shape.
  4. Grill the skewers over hot coals until cooked, turning occasionally.

Lawar

Lawar is a popular Balinese cuisine that features a variety of herbs and spices along with coconut and chopped veggies. To make it, follow these steps:

Ingredients:

  • 300g green beans, chopped
  • 200g grated coconut
  • 100g bean sprouts
  • 4 shallots, finely chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 2 red chilies, finely chopped
  • 1 lemongrass stalk, finely chopped
  • 2 kaffir lime leaves, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp. shrimp paste
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. palm sugar
  • 2 tbsp. cooking oil

Directions:

  1. In a saucepan set over medium heat, heating oil for cooking is recommended. Combine the shrimp paste, shallots, garlic, red pepper flakes, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and kaffir lime leaves. Blend in, then simmer for two to three minutes.
  2. Green beans and bean sprouts, chopped, should be added to the skillet. After stirring, let it simmer for three to four minutes.
  3. Grated coconut, salt, and palm sugar should be added to the cooking pot. For a further two to three minutes, stir often.
  4. Bring to a boil, then turn off the heat and serve over steaming rice.

Babi Guling

One of the most well-liked Balinese dishes is Babi Guling, which is a whole pig stuffed with spices and herbs before being roasted in the open air. One easy way to prepare pork belly is in this recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 500g pork belly, sliced
  • 4 shallots, finely chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 2 red chilies, finely chopped
  • 2 lemongrass stalks, finely chopped
  • 2 kaffir lime leaves, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp. shrimp paste
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. palm sugar
  • 2 tbsp. cooking oil

Directions:

  1. Take it out of the oven and let it sit for a while before you slice it.
  2. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Arrange the sliced pork belly on a baking tray.
  3. Rub the spice mixture onto the pork belly, making sure to coat all sides.
  4. Roast in the oven for 30-40 minutes, until the pork is crispy and cooked through.
  5. Take it out of the oven and let it sit for a while before you slice it.

Sambal Matah

Sambal Matah is a Balinese condiment made with raw shallots, garlic, and chilies, mixed with lime juice and coconut oil. It’s a perfect accompaniment to grilled meats and vegetables. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 6 shallots, thinly sliced
  • 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 4 red chilies, thinly sliced
  • 2 green chilies, thinly sliced
  • 2 lemongrass stalks, thinly sliced
  • 2 kaffir lime leaves, thinly sliced
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. palm sugar
  • 2 tbsp. lime juice
  • 2 tbsp. coconut oil

Directions:

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine the sliced shallots, garlic, red chilies, green chilies, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves.
  2. Add the salt, palm sugar, lime juice, and coconut oil. Don’t stop stirring until everything is equally combined.
  3. Serve with grilled meats or vegetables.

Ayam Betutu

Ayam Betutu is a Balinese dish made with a whole chicken that is stuffed with a spice paste, then wrapped in banana leaves and steamed or baked. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 whole chicken
  • 10 shallots, finely chopped
  • 10 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 5 red chilies, finely chopped
  • 3 lemongrass stalks, finely chopped
  • 3 kaffir lime leaves, finely chopped
  • 2 tsp. shrimp paste
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. palm sugar
  • 5 tbsp. cooking oil
  • Banana leaves

Directions:

  1. Combine the shrimp paste, shallots, garlic, red pepper flakes, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and kaffir lime leaves. Blend in, then simmer for two to three minutes.
  2. Remove from heat and let it cool.
  3. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Stuff the spice mixture into the chicken cavity.
  4. Wrap the chicken in banana leaves, making sure it is completely covered.
  5. Bake in the oven for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

In conclusion, these easy Balinese recipes are a great way to experiment with new flavors and ingredients. Whether you are looking for a quick and easy dish or a more elaborate meal, these balinese recipes are sure to impress your family and friends.