Ayam Masak Merah with Spicy Tomato Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces (about 1.5 kg / 3.3 lbs) 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces (about 1.5 kg / 3.3 lbs)
• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 onions, finely chopped 2 onions, finely chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 red chili peppers, sliced 2 red chili peppers, sliced
• 4 tomatoes, diced 4 tomatoes, diced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon chili powder 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon paprika 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon turmeric powder 1 tablespoon turmeric powder
• 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (240 ml) water 1 cup (240 ml) water
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 5g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Add the onions, garlic, and chili peppers to the pan and sauté until the onions are translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the chicken pieces to the pan and cook until they are browned on all sides.
4. 4.
   In a separate bowl, mix together the tomato paste, chili powder, paprika, turmeric powder, sugar, and salt.
5. 5.
   Add the tomato paste mixture to the pan and stir well to coat the chicken.
6. 6.
   Add the diced tomatoes and water to the pan and bring to a simmer.
7. 7.
   Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let the chicken simmer for about 30 minutes, or until it is cooked through and tender.
8. 8.
   Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Chicken — For the best flavor and texture, use bone-in chicken pieces such as thighs and drumsticks. Skin-on chicken will also add extra richness to the dish.
• Chili peppers — Adjust the amount of chili peppers according to your spice preference. For a milder version, remove the seeds before slicing.

Tips & Tricks

• To intensify the flavors, marinate the chicken in the spice mixture for at least 1 hour before cooking.
• If you prefer a smoother sauce, blend the tomato mixture before adding it to the pan.
• Serve Ayam Masak Merah with a side of cucumber slices and steamed rice for a complete meal.

Serving advice

Serve Ayam Masak Merah hot with steamed rice or roti. Garnish with fresh cilantro for added freshness and color.

Presentation advice

Arrange the chicken pieces on a platter and pour the spicy tomato sauce over them. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro for an attractive presentation.