Steamed Spiced Chicken Wrapped in Banana Leaf is a dish made from chicken and traditional spices then steamed in banana leaves. The steaming process with banana leaves not only provides a distinctive taste but also maintains the tenderness of the chicken meat and the natural aroma of banana leaves. This dish is a perfect example of Indonesia’s culinary richness based on tradition, nature, and local ingredients.
This time, we will discuss a typical Indonesian dish, namely Steamed Spiced Chicken Wrapped in Banana Leaf, complete with the recipe! Who has ever tasted this dish? In Indonesia, this dish is very famous. This dish is available in restaurants specializing in Indonesian cuisine. To add to your typical Indonesian culinary experience, you should try making this dish at home.
Making this dish is easy. The ingredients are available at the market or supermarket. The preparation time is 15 minutes, while the cooking time is 1 hour 30 minutes. Serving this dish is suitable as a main course.
History and Tradition
Wrapping dishes in banana leaves has a long history in Indonesian cuisine. Using banana leaves has long been a natural wrapping because they are flexible, heat resistant, and can add a fresh aroma to food.
The use of banana leaves as food wrappers is found in various regions in Indonesia, from Sumatra to Bali, with various recipes and cooking techniques.
Steamed Spiced Chicken Wrapped in Banana is an adaptation of this cooking tradition, which combines steaming techniques with typical Indonesian spices such as turmeric, lemongrass, ginger, candlenuts, and shallots. The use of these spices reflects Indonesia’s natural wealth, which has long been known as one of the best spice producers in the world.
Tips for Cooking This Dish
Here are some tips for cooking this dish so that the results are delicious, the aroma is maximum, and the chicken remains tender.
Choose Quality Chicken: Use fresh chicken, either free-range chicken or broiler chicken. Cut the chicken into small pieces so that the spices are more easily absorbed and the steaming process is faster.
Use Fresh Spices: You must use fresh spices so that the aroma is maximum and the taste is more authentic. Blend the spices until they are soft so they can absorb well into the chicken.
Marinating Chicken: Before wrapping in banana leaves and steaming, soak or marinate the chicken with spices for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour. This aims to ensure that the spices penetrate perfectly into the meat so that the chicken tastes richer and not bland.
Preparation of Banana Leaves: Make sure to use banana leaves that have been cleaned. To make it more flexible for wrapping, wilt the banana leaves by heating them briefly over a fire or soaking them in hot water for a few seconds. This will also prevent the banana leaves from tearing during use.
Proper Steaming: Don’t open the lid of the steamer frequently, because this can reduce the temperature in the steamer and slow down the cooking process. Wait until the steaming time is complete before opening the lid.
Pay Attention to the Balance of Spices: Make sure the spices have the right balance of spicy, savory, and slightly sweet. Taste the seasoning before coating the chicken, and adjust the seasoning to suit your taste.
Serve Warm: Serve this dish warm, straight after steaming. The aroma of fresh banana leaves and spices will increase your appetite.
The Specialties of This Dish
Distinctive Aroma and Taste
One of the main features of this dish is the distinctive aroma of banana leaves which permeates the chicken meat during the steaming process. Banana leaves emit a fresh and natural aroma which not only enriches the taste but also adds a delicious sensation. This is difficult to find in other dishes that do not use banana leaf wrapping.
Healthy Cooking Techniques
The steaming process makes this dish healthier compared to other cooking methods such as frying or grilling. Steaming keeps the nutritional content of chicken meat and spices intact, without using additional oil. This makes the dish low in calories and fat, but still delicious and full of flavor.
Maintained Meat Tenderness
Because this dish is steamed, the texture of the chicken becomes very soft and remains juicy. Steaming at a low temperature allows the meat to cook evenly without losing moisture, making the chicken easy to chew and retaining its flavor.
Texture of Steamed Spiced Chicken Wrapped in Banana Leaf
Tender and Juicy Chicken
The steaming process makes the chicken meat soft and juicy because the moisture is trapped in the banana leaf wrap. The hot steam slowly cooks the chicken without drying it out, so the meat remains soft and tender when you bite into it.
Soft Banana Leaf Aroma
Banana leaves as a wrapper provide a soft aroma but are not eaten, so they do not have a texture that is directly felt on the tongue. However, banana leaves play an important role in maintaining the overall texture of the dish. The steam trapped in the banana leaf wrapper maintains the softness and deliciousness of the dish while adding a distinctive refreshing aroma.
Let’s make Steamed Spiced Chicken Wrapped in Banana Leaf!
Ingredients of Steamed Spiced Chicken Wrapped in Banana Leaf
Seasonings
- 8 Shallot: Gives a natural sweet taste and distinctive aroma that enriches the basic spices.
- 5 clove Garlic: Gives a savory taste and strong aroma.
- 4 Candle nut: Helps the spices stick better to the chicken meat. The healthy fat content in candlenuts gives dishes a distinctive creamy texture.
- 2 segment Galangal: Gives a fresh and distinctive spicy aroma and taste.
- 1 segment Ginger: Adds a subtle warm spicy taste and distinctive aroma and enriches the taste of chicken.
- 2 segment Turmeric: Gives an attractive bright yellow color and fragrant aroma to dishes.
- 3 Lemongrass: Gives a refreshing citrus aroma and light, creamy taste. Lemongrass also functions to balance the spicy and savory flavors in dishes. The fresh aroma helps eliminate the fishy smell of chicken.
- 2½ tsp Salt: For natural flavoring, it helps bring out the flavors of all the other ingredients.
- 2½ tsp Chicken Stock Powder: To strengthen the umami and savory taste of chicken.
- ½ tsp Pepper: Enriches the flavor of spices and provides a spicy depth that is different from chili.
Other
- 1 kg Chicken cut into 24 pieces: The main ingredient in this dish, and the deliciousness of the chicken, really depends on the cooking method and the spices used. Chicken has a tender texture and easily absorbs spices, making it the perfect ingredient to blend with the complexity of spices.
- 12 Bay Leaf: To add a distinctive aroma to dishes.
- 3 medium Tomato: Gives a fresh sweet and sour taste and also helps soften the chicken meat. The sour taste of tomatoes balances the savory and spicy spices. Adds richness to the dish.
- 3 cup Thai Lemon Basil: Gives a strong and fresh herbal aroma. When steamed with chicken, basil provides a fresh, slightly spicy flavor that complements the spices.
- 12 Cayenne Pepper: Adds sharp, intense spiciness.
- Banana Leaf: As a natural wrapper and provides a distinctive fresh aroma when steamed. Banana leaves also help retain chicken moisture during the steaming process, so the chicken meat remains soft and juicy. Additionally, banana leaves give this dish a traditional feel.
How to Make Steamed Spiced Chicken Wrapped in Banana Leaf
First, put all the seasoning ingredients into a cup then puree with a hand blender or wet mill.
In a big mixing bowl, combine the seasoning puree with chicken then mix well and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Boil water in a steamer. Slice tomato into 12 pieces and set aside. Make six pieces 4×6 inch and six pieces 3×5 inch banana leaves, then heat it on the open fire to make it flexible and easier to fold.
Prepare two banana leaves, then line with bay leaf, place two pieces of chicken, add tomato slices, Thai lemon basil, and cayenne pepper. Wrap the banana leaves, and skewer the top.
Lastly, steam chicken for 1 hour and remove from the heat.
Serve steamed chicken with warm rice, enjoy!
Nutrient Content
Protein: Chicken is a high source of animal protein, which is essential for building and repairing body tissue, as well as supporting immune system function.
Vitamins and Minerals: Turmeric contains curcumin, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Ginger is rich in gingerol, magnesium, and vitamin C. Lemongrass is a source of vitamins A and C. Candlenuts contain healthy fats (omega-3 and omega-6), calcium, and magnesium.
Fiber: Even though banana leaves are not eaten directly, steaming them helps provide some fiber and nutritional content from the natural compounds found in banana leaves. Banana leaves contain bioactive compounds such as polyphenols which have antioxidant properties and are good for protecting the body from free radicals.
Serving Recommendations
You can combine this dish with various accompanying foods to complement the taste. Here are several choices of dishes that are suitable to be eaten with this dish.
Cooked Rice: Cooked rice is the most common accompaniment and is perfect for soaking up the rich flavor of steamed chicken. The neutral taste of the rice helps balance the rich spices of the chicken so that every bite tastes harmonious. This combination also increases satiety and provides energy from carbohydrates.
Sambal: Sambal is a typical Indonesian sauce suitable as a classic accompaniment to this dish. A choice of sambal could be Sambal Terasi or Sambal Matah.
Fried Tofu or Tempeh: Fried Tofu and Tempeh can be a great addition to provide a crunchy texture and added protein. The savory but simple taste is perfect combined with the rich chicken seasoning.
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You have to try the dish recipe below!
Steamed Spiced Chicken Wrapped in Banana Leaf
Ingredients
Seasonings
- 8 Shallot
- 5 clove Garlic
- 4 Candle nut
- 2 segment Galangal
- 1 segment Ginger
- 2 segment Turmeric
- 3 Lemongrass
- 2½ tsp Salt
- 2½ tsp Chicken Stock Powder
- ½ tsp Pepper
Other
- 1 kg Chicken cut into 24 pieces
- 12 Bay Leaf
- 3 medium Tomato
- 3 cup Thai Lemon Basil
- 12 Cayenne Pepper
- Banana Leaf
Instructions
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Put all of the seasonings ingredients into a cup then puree with a hand blender or wet mill.
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In a big mixing bowl, combine the seasoning puree with chicken then mix well and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
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Boil water in a steamer. Slice tomato into 12 pieces and set aside. Make six pieces 4×6 inch and six pieces 3×5 inch banana leaves, then heat it on open fire to make it flexible and easier to fold.
-
Prepare two banana leaves, then line with bay leaf, place two pieces of chicken, add tomato slices, thai lemon basil, and cayenne pepper. Wrap the banana leaves, and skewer the top.
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Steam chicken for 1 hour and remove from the heat. Serve steamed chicken with warm rice, enjoy!
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