Nasi Kucing - Indonesian Cat Rice

Ingredients

• 1 cup (200g) jasmine rice 1 cup (200g) jasmine rice
• 2 pandan leaves 2 pandan leaves
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons sambal (Indonesian chili paste) 2 tablespoons sambal (Indonesian chili paste)
• 100g tempeh, sliced and fried 100g tempeh, sliced and fried
• 100g shredded chicken, cooked 100g shredded chicken, cooked
• 50g fried anchovies 50g fried anchovies
• 1 cucumber, thinly sliced 1 cucumber, thinly sliced

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 2g
• Protein: 15g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well.
2. 2.
   In a rice cooker, combine the rinsed rice, pandan leaves, and water according to the rice cooker's instructions. Cook until the rice is fluffy and fully cooked.
3. 3.
   Remove the pandan leaves from the cooked rice and fluff it with a fork.
4. 4.
   In a small pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the sambal and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
5. 5.
   Serve the cooked rice in individual bowls. Top each bowl with a spoonful of sambal, fried tempeh, shredded chicken, fried anchovies, and cucumber slices.
6. 6.
   Mix the toppings with the rice before enjoying.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Tempeh — Make sure to slice the tempeh thinly before frying to achieve a crispy texture.
• Sambal — Adjust the amount of sambal according to your preferred level of spiciness. Feel free to add more or less to suit your taste.

Tips & Tricks

• For a vegetarian version, omit the shredded chicken and increase the amount of fried tempeh.
• Customize the toppings according to your preference. You can add boiled eggs, fried tofu, or even sautéed vegetables.
• Serve Nasi Kucing with a side of fresh lime wedges to squeeze over the rice for an extra tangy flavor.
• If you prefer a milder sambal, remove the seeds from the chili peppers before grinding them.
• To make the dish more filling, serve it with a side of Indonesian-style fried noodles or a vegetable stir-fry.

Serving advice

Nasi Kucing is traditionally served in small bowls, allowing each person to enjoy a variety of flavors in one sitting. Serve it as a main course for lunch or dinner, accompanied by a side dish or two.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, arrange the toppings in an aesthetically pleasing manner on top of the rice. Garnish with fresh herbs, such as cilantro or basil, for a pop of color.