Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Fried Rice)

Makes: 2-3 Servings     Preparation Time:  15 minutes    Cook Time: 10 minutes

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indonesian, Vegan, Vegetarian

Author: Healthy Asian Cuisine Prep

Ingredients

• 2 bowls of steamed or cooked rice
• 1/4 cabbage
• 1/2 carrot or 1 small carrot
• 1 tablespoon sweet soy sauce or regular soy sauce (see note)
• 1-3 tablespoons vegetable oil

For Spice Paste

• 2½ long Jersey shallots, or 5 small round shallots
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 red chilli
• 1 small hot red chilli
• ½ – 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• ½ – 1 teaspoon white pepper powder
• 1 teaspoon coconut sugar, cane sugar or sweetener of choice (if not using sweet soya sauce)
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1 small tomato

For Garnish

• 2 tablespoons chopped coriander (cilantro)

Method

Step 1: Preparing the Spice Paste

1. To prepare the spice paste, first, gather and prepare your mise-en-place. 
2. Peel and roughly chop the shallots and garlic.   Next, roughly chopped the chillies then cut the tomato into quarters.
3. To make the spice paste, in the blender, add the shallots, garlic, small and big chilli, salt, sugar, and water and blend until smooth.
4. Next, add the tomato then pulse a few times to chop into small pieces and combine with the spice paste.

Step 2: Preparing the Vegetables

1. Cut the cabbage into thin slices and the carrot into match sticks.  Set them aside.

Step 3: Cooking and Serving the Dish

1. Heat a wok or a frying pan over medium-high heat.  Once hot add the oil, when the oil is heated up then add the blended spice paste.  Stir-fry the paste frequently for a few minutes until the most liquid evaporated and is aromatic.
2. At this moment, add all the vegetables and mix well with the spices in the pan.   If it’s too dry, add some oil or water.
3. When the vegetables are softened, throw in the steamed rice and stir to mix with all ingredients in the pan evenly. 
4. Once the rice is well coated with the spices, sprinkle the soya sauce and white pepper on top then stir to mix again. At this stage, taste the fried rice and add more salt, soy sauce or pepper according to your preference.
5. Once you are happy with the taste, dish your fried rice onto a plate. Garnish with some freshly chopped coriander and enjoy.

Notes:   For non-vegan: Enjoy this fried rice with a sunny-side-up egg for a much more filling meal.   Rice: Jasmin rice, basmati rice or any other proffered rice can be used instead of brown rice.  Healthy Asian Cuisine is using brown rice because it is high in fibre and high in minerals and vitamins.   Vegetable: Feel free to substitute the vegetable you will love.  We suggest tofu, tempeh or edamame for a protein boost. Top the fried rice with other fresh vegetables when serving for a filling meal.   Soya sauce: Indonesian sweet soya sauce is commonly used in fried rice.  I prefer light soya sauce and add a teaspoon of sweetener into the spice paste.  For health reasons, just ignore adding any sweetener.   Small chilli: Some small chillies like Piri-piri or bird-eye chilli are spicy; reduce the amount for less heat.