Nasi Goreng

Nasi Goreng is a popular Indonesian dish that is enjoyed as breakfast, lunch or dinner. Pretty easy to make, vegetables and sometimes meat are added to fried rice. Commonly, fried egg is placed on top of the nasi goreng. The ubiquitous kecap manis adds a sweet and savoury flavour and the umami comes from the shrimp paste called terasi.

With this group a group of food bloggers are out to “Explore The Flavours – International Dishes. The challenge is to prepare the international dishes alphabetically. I chose to prepare International Breakfast Dishes and Nasi Goreng is one of them.

When I decided to participate in this Mega Blogging Marathon, I knew immediately what I was going to make for the letter N. As some of you might have read from my previous posts, hubby and I spent last Dec in Bali. However, due to the unfortunate motorbike accident my daughter in law met with, we were not able to see as much of Bali as we would have otherwise. But, it was the best bonding time we had with my son and daughter in law.

My son had booked a villa for us. In the evenings the receptionist would ask us what we’d like for breakfast. There wasn’t much choice, it was either continental or Indonesian. On the 2nd day I decided to try the Indonesian breakfast. My son reminded me to tell them no ayam(chicken), Bebek (duck), sapi (beef), babi (pork), Ikan(fish). I was happy that I’ve covered the vegetarian ground pretty well. Next morning I get the famous Indonesian breakfast Nasi Goreng with shrimp!!!! Why didn’t I think of that. I had to ask my daughter in law what shrimp is in Indonesian language and so that evening included no udang(shrimp) to my long list of no nos! I should have stuck with plain continental breakfast. Some how or the other some form of meat tends to creep into the platter.

Finally did get to enjoy Nasi Goreng at a warung without any meat, fish, or poultry! Bali has so many paddy fields. Emerald greenery spreads over a large area.  In the touristy areas little restaurants or warungs are set up next to the paddy fields. The local rice is very aromatic and different from basmati.

For this theme, I was pretty adamant to recreate Nasi Goreng without any meat, fish, shrimp or poultry. So no shrimp paste. Instead can easily add mushrooms for that umami flavour. Nasi Goreng will have some fish, meat or poultry added to it and no eggs when served for lunch or dinner. If it is served with stir fried noodles then it is called Mei Goreng. All in all, nasi goreng or mei goreng tend to be healthy and filling dishes. In some places you may find Nasi Goreng is served with prawn crackers and sambal oelek on the side.

If you don’t get kecap manis, it is easy to make it at home. Equal amounts of soy sauce and palm sugar or brown sugar are heated till the sauce becomes thick.  Sambal oelek is the Indonesian hot sauce made with  red chilis, garlic, ginger, vinegar, fish sauce or shrimp paste, lime, brown sugar or palm sugar.  I used my own chili garlic sauce (without shrimp or fish).

Ingredients Required For Nasi Goreng

Cooked Rice

Any type of cooked rice can be used for this dish. Needless to say, in Indonesia, the locally grown rice is used. I have used basmati rice.

Onion

Any onion of your choice. Peel and chop it finely. Can also add deep fried onion on top.

Garlic

Add according to your choice. Peel and finely chop or mince the garlic.

Eggs

As I have served Nasi Goreng for breakfast, I have added fried egg. Can replace it with meat, fish or poultry of your choice.

Kecap Manis

Kecap Manis is a popular and vital sauce used in the Indonesian cooking. Ready made sauce is available in Indonesia. Some Asian stores in your area may be selling it. If not, it is easy to make it at home. Take 1 part soy sauce and 1 part palm sugar. Mix both and simmer till it becomes thick like honey. Instead of plam sugar can use brown sugar or jaggery.

Spring Onion

Optional, add chopped spring onion or scallion on top if you have it in your fridge.

Vegetables

Can add any vegetables of your choice in the rice. Stir fry the vegetables and then add the rice. Some suggestions are water spinach, mushrooms, carrots, beans, etc. As I made it for breakfast I served it with chopped tomatoes, cucumber and carrot on the side.

Oil

Any oil of your choice to stir fry the vegetables and rice. Also need some to prepare fried eggs.

Salt

As the kecap manis may contain salt, be careful when adding some. Add according to your choice.

Sambal Oelek

Sambal oelek is the Indonesian hot sauce made with  red chilis, garlic, ginger, vinegar, fish sauce or shrimp paste, lime, brown sugar or palm sugar.  As I don’t have fish or shrimp, I used my own garlic chilli sauce.

A-Z Breakfast Dishes Prepared So Far

Check out what other Mega Blogging Marathoners have made for Day 14: