Satay

Sanjiv Singh
This delicious concoction is available at every Thai and Indonesian restaurant. Recipe from Joe Sotham. Note that this dish takes a bit to put together (approx 2 hrs). Serve with Cucumber Relish
Serves 8-10.

2 lbs boneless chicken
5 cloves garlic
1-2 large onions
1 piece lemon grass
1 teaspoon cumin (ground or use powdered)
1 teaspoon turmeric
2 tablespoon ground coriander
1 oz. langkuas (or substitute grated ginger)
1 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons castor sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup water

Cut chicken into strips, pound meat, then cut into cubes and season with meat tenderizer. Pound separately garlic, onions, lemon grass, cumin, turmeric, coriander and langkuas. Mix together meat, pounded ingredients, salt, and sugar. Marinate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

Thread meat onto skewers. Sprinkle oil mixture (1/2 oil, 1/2 water) over meat and grill until done. Set aside.

Paste:

3 oz. tamarind
2 large onions
5 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon grated langkuas or ginger
1 1/2 cups ground peanuts
1 tablespoon dried shrimp paste
2 pieces lemon grass
2 tablespoon dried ground chili pepper (or substitute fresh chopped red chillies)
1/2 cup sesame seeds
6 cups coconut milk (or substitute water)
1/2 cup sugar
4 teaspoon salt

Add the tamarind to water and soak for 2 hours. During this time, squeeze the tamarind so that it becomes pulpy. Filter the liquid through a strainer to remove seeds, stem and skin of the fruit.

Pound the onions, garlic, and langkuas.

Roast the peanuts, remove skins, and grind finely.

Fry the shrimp paste on medium heat for a few minutes. Add the onion and garlic paste to the frying pan. Fry the onions until white. Don't brown them. Add the lemon grass, langkuas, dried chillies, peanuts, sesame seeds, coconut milk, sugar, salt and tamarind paste. Cook until the gravy is thick. Pour the gravy over the skewered chicken and serve.

Satay II

Sanjiv Singh
This is a much easier version of Satay than the one above. Recipe is adapted from one that comes via Susan Miano. It calls for Sambal Olek, a highly concentrated chili paste that can be found at oriental grocery stores (use with caution). Serve with Cucumber Relish.
Serves 4-6.

1 lb. skinned, boned chicken breasts
1/2 teaspoon sambal olek (hot-pepper paste)
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
2 tablespoon lemon juice
3 tablespoon dark soy sauce
2 tablespoon honey
3 tablespoon peanut butter
1/2 cup water

Cut chicken in 1-inch chunks and thread chunks equally on 12 bamboo skewers. Set aside.

In a large saucepan or skillet combine sambal olek, gingerroot, lemon juice, soy sauce, honey, peanut butter and water. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, then reduce heat and add as many chicken skewers as will fit without crowding. Simmer 10 minutes, basting. Remove from pan and transfer to a rimmed platter. Repeat with remaining chicken skewers. Simmer sauce remaining in pan until reduced to about 3/4 cup. Pour over chicken and serve.

May also be chilled and served cold.

From the Dinner Co-op