Sayur Asem
Sayur Asem is a refreshing Indonesian sour vegetable soup, traditionally flavored with tamarind. It's a light and healthy dish packed with various vegetables.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Mixed vegetables (e.g., long beans, chayote, corn, eggplant, spinach, cabbage, jackfruit)
- 3 tbsp Tamarind paste (from fresh tamarind or concentrate)(Adjust to taste. If using fresh tamarind, soak 2-3 tbsp pulp in 1 cup hot water, then strain.)
- 100 g Peanuts (shelled, raw or blanched)
- 2 ears Corn on the cob
- 50 g Melinjo nuts (gnetum gnemon)
- 1 cm Galangal
- 1 stalk Lemongrass
- 2 leaves Bay leaves (Indonesian bay leaves or regular)
- to taste Salt
- 1 tsp Sugar (palm sugar or white sugar)(Optional, to balance sourness.)
- 1.5 L Water or vegetable broth
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the aromatics: bruise the galangal and lemongrass stalks. If using fresh tamarind, soak the pulp in hot water and strain to get the juice.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 2
In a large pot, combine water or broth, bruised galangal, bruised lemongrass, and bay leaves. Bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 3
Add the harder vegetables first, such as corn, peanuts, and melinjo nuts. Simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until they start to soften.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 4
Add the remaining vegetables (e.g., long beans, chayote, eggplant). Continue to simmer until all vegetables are tender but not mushy, about another 10-15 minutes.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 5
Stir in the tamarind paste. Add salt and sugar (if using) to taste. Simmer for a final 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. The soup should have a pleasant sour and savory taste.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 6
Remove the galangal and lemongrass stalks before serving. Serve hot, or allow to cool to room temperature. Sayur Asem is delicious on its own or with steamed rice and other Indonesian side dishes.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓This soup is highly customizable. Feel free to use any combination of vegetables you have on hand.
- ✓The sourness comes from tamarind, but some regional variations use bilimbi for an extra tangy kick.
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can add a piece of shrimp paste (terasi) to the boiling liquid.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Increase tamarind paste for a more pronounced sour flavor.
- Add bilimbi slices (star fruit cucumber) along with other vegetables for extra tartness.
- Include shredded chicken or small shrimp for added protein.