Indonesian Gado Gado Salad Recipe
Gado Gado is a traditional Indonesian salad that is typically made with a variety of boiled vegetables, boiled eggs, and tofu, all served with a spicy peanut sauce.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 2 cups mixed vegetables such as blanched green beans, boiled potatoes, carrots, and cabbage
- 2 boiled eggs sliced
- 8 oz tofu or tempeh cut into small cubes and sautéed until golden
Peanut sauce:
- 1/2 cup unsalted peanuts + more chopped to use as a garnish
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 small shallot
- 1 hot chili pepper
- 2 tablespoons sweet soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon tamarind paste
- 1/2 cup water + more to adjust dressing consistency
- Salt and sugar to taste
- Herbs (green onion, cilantro, mung bean sprouts) (optional) chopped, as a topping
Instructions
- Make the peanut sauce: In a blender or food processor, combine the peanuts, garlic, shallot, chili pepper (if using), sweet soy sauce, tamarind paste and water. Blend until smooth.
- Transfer the mixture to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly (be careful not to burn the sauce here). Quickly reduce heat to low and simmer for 5-10 minutes, until the sauce has thickened.
- Season the sauce with salt and sugar, to taste. Set aside to cool. To make the consistency more like a salad dressing, simply mix in a little water.
- Boil the vegetables until they are tender but still crisp, about 5-7 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool.
- Assemble the salad: On a large serving platter, arrange the cooked vegetables, boiled eggs, and tofu/tempeh.
- Drizzle the peanut sauce over the top of the salad, or serve it on the side as a dipping sauce.
- Serve the Gado Gado salad immediately, garnished with additional chopped peanuts and fresh herbs, if desired. Enjoy!