Nasi Timbel
A traditional Sundanese (West Javanese) dish featuring fragrant rice steamed and served in banana leaves, accompanied by an assortment of flavorful side dishes. The banana leaf imparts a subtle aroma and unique flavor to the rice.
🧂 Ingredients
- 400 g Jasmine Rice(Or other long-grain white rice. Rinse thoroughly before cooking.)
- 4 Banana leaves(Fresh or frozen. If frozen, thaw completely. Wipe clean with a damp cloth and lightly wilt over a low flame or hot water to make them pliable.)
- 4 pieces Fried chicken(Pre-cooked or homemade. Can substitute with other proteins like fried tempeh, fried tofu, or grilled fish.)
- 100 g Sambal terasi(Indonesian shrimp paste chili sauce. Store-bought or homemade. Adjust to your spice preference.)
- assorted Assorted side dishes(Common sides include: fried tempeh, fried tofu, salted egg (telur asin), cucumber slices, fresh vegetables (like kemangi/basil), and acar (pickled vegetables).)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Cook the rice: Rinse the rice under cold running water until the water runs clear. Cook the rice using your preferred method (rice cooker or stovetop). For a rice cooker, use the standard water ratio for your rice type. For stovetop, combine rice and water (typically 1:1.5 or 1:2 ratio of rice to water) in a pot, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until water is absorbed and rice is tender. Let it steam, covered, off the heat for another 10 minutes.
⏱️ 30 minutes (includes steaming time) - 2
Prepare the side dishes: While the rice is cooking, prepare all your chosen side dishes. This may involve frying tempeh and tofu until golden brown and crispy, slicing cucumber and other fresh vegetables, preparing acar, or ensuring your pre-cooked fried chicken is heated through. Arrange them neatly for serving.
⏱️ 30 minutes - 3
Prepare the banana leaves: If using fresh banana leaves, wipe them clean with a damp cloth. If using frozen, thaw them and wipe clean. To make them pliable and prevent tearing, gently pass them over a low flame for a few seconds per side, or dip them briefly in hot water. Cut them into rectangular pieces large enough to wrap a portion of rice.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Assemble the Nasi Timbel: Once the rice is cooked and has rested, take a portion of warm rice (about 1 cup per serving) and place it in the center of a prepared banana leaf. Shape the rice into a compact log or rectangle. Fold the banana leaf over the rice to enclose it, creating a neat parcel. You can secure it with toothpicks if needed, or by tucking in the ends.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 5
Serve: Arrange the banana leaf-wrapped rice parcels on individual plates. Serve immediately with the prepared side dishes (fried chicken, sambal, fried tempeh, fried tofu, salted egg, cucumber, etc.) placed alongside the rice. Ensure the sambal is accessible for diners to add to their liking.
⏱️ 5 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The subtle aroma and flavor imparted by the banana leaf are key to authentic Nasi Timbel. Don't skip wilting the leaves.
- ✓Nasi Timbel is a complete meal, so ensure a good variety of textures and flavors in your side dishes for a balanced experience.
- ✓Feel free to customize the side dishes based on your preferences and availability. Popular choices often include fried chicken, tempeh, tofu, and salted egg.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Protein variations: Substitute fried chicken with grilled fish, beef rendang, or vegetarian options like fried mushrooms or jackfruit.
- Sambal variations: Use different types of sambal, such as sambal matah (raw shallot and lemongrass sambal) or sambal hijau (green chili sambal).
- Vegetable additions: Include blanched vegetables like water spinach (kangkung) or long beans.