Ayam Kecap

This is one of our family's all time favorite things to eat for dinner. Not only is it delicious, but it is super quick and easy to put together!

"Ayam" is Indonesian for "chicken." "Kecap" refers to Kecap Manis, which is a traditional Indonesian sweet soy sauce. You can find it in Asian grocery stores in the Indonesian aisle.

To make this dish, you can either use a whole chicken or boneless chicken breasts (or thighs), cubed. I have two different ways I prepare it, based on what type of meat I am using.

Ayam Kecap, using whole chicken:

1 whole chicken, cut into pieces

Lemon or Lime Juice, 3 tbs

Salt & Pepper

Garlic, 5 cloves finely grated (I usually put mine in the food processor).

Kecap Manis, 1 cup

Oil for frying

Green Onions for garnish

Directions:

*After cutting up chicken, toss with lemon or lime juice. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

*Fry chicken until golden in hot oil.

*Remove chicken. Leave 1/4 cup oil in the pan.

*Add Kecap Manis to the pan.

*Turn heat to med-high and stir sauce mixture. Be careful not to let it burn. Allow it to cook for about 1 minute.

*Add garlic & a little bit of lemon or lime juice (1 tsp). Allow to cook for 30 seconds.

*Add chicken, and toss.

*Put chicken on plate and sprinkle green onions over the top.

*Service with hot rice. Enjoy!

Ayam Kecap, using boneless chicken:

2 lbs boneless chicken breasts, cubed

Lemon or Lime juice, 1 tablespoon

Salt & Pepper

5 cloves garlic, minced

Kecap Manis, 1/2-3/4 cup

Oil, just enough to stir fry the chicken

Green Onions for garnish

Directions:

*Toss cubed chicken with lemon or lime juice and salt and pepper.

*Heat oil in wok. Add chicken, and stir fry until chicken is golden in color (or cooked through).

*Add garlic. Stir for 1 minute.

*Add Kecap Manis. Stir fry for 1 minute.

*Garnish with green onions.

*Serve with hot rice. Enjoy!

Kecap Manis (KEH-chop MA-nees)

Chocolate Sprinkles

During my years living in Indonesia, one of our favorite things for breakfast was chocolate sprinkles... The perfect combo was to put a layer of peanut butter on a piece of bread or toast, and then top it with chocolate sprinkles.

There is a bakery called "Ganda" in the town of Pematang Siantar. They are famous in the area for being one of the best bakeries. My favorite thing that they make was buns that they topped with sweetened whipped butter and chocolate sprinkles. If you are ever in the area, you have to try them!

My aunt and uncle recently returned from a trip to Indonesia, and gave brought us home some Meises, which is the proper word for chocolate sprinkles.

You should have seen my kid's faces when I asked them if they would like to have chocolate for breakfast! I'm sure it's probably what my face used to look like when I ate it as a child. It was a special treat I was able to share with my kids that brought back memories of my happy childhood in Indonesia.

You can find these at any store that would carry Asian/Dutch products.