Sate Kere with Peanut Sauce

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces 500g (1.1 lb) boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, grated 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, grated
• 1 stalk of lemongrass, white part only, finely chopped 1 stalk of lemongrass, white part only, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 cup (240ml) coconut milk 1 cup (240ml) coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon tamarind paste 1 tablespoon tamarind paste
• 2 tablespoons palm sugar (or brown sugar) 2 tablespoons palm sugar (or brown sugar)
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste
• For the peanut sauce: For the peanut sauce:
• 200g (7 oz) roasted peanuts 200g (7 oz) roasted peanuts
• 2 cloves of garlic 2 cloves of garlic
• 2 shallots 2 shallots
• 2 red chili peppers, seeds removed (adjust according to spice preference) 2 red chili peppers, seeds removed (adjust according to spice preference)
• 1 tablespoon tamarind paste 1 tablespoon tamarind paste
• 1 tablespoon palm sugar (or brown sugar) 1 tablespoon palm sugar (or brown sugar)
• 1 cup (240ml) coconut milk 1 cup (240ml) coconut milk
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste
• For serving: For serving:
• Steamed rice Steamed rice
• Cucumber slices Cucumber slices
• Shallot slices Shallot slices

Nutrition

• Calories: 450 kcal / 1880 KJ
• Fat: 28g (Saturated Fat: 10g)
• Carbohydrates: 15g (Sugar: 7g)
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, grated ginger, chopped lemongrass, soy sauce, and vegetable oil. Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and mix well. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for more intense flavor.
2. 2.
   Meanwhile, prepare the peanut sauce by blending the roasted peanuts, garlic, shallots, red chili peppers, tamarind paste, palm sugar, and a pinch of salt in a food processor until smooth.
3. 3.
   In a saucepan, heat the coconut milk over medium heat. Add the peanut mixture and stir well. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly. Adjust the consistency by adding more coconut milk if desired. Season with salt to taste.
4. 4.
   Preheat the grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers.
5. 5.
   Grill the skewers for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred.
6. 6.
   Serve the grilled chicken skewers with steamed rice, cucumber slices, shallot slices, and a generous drizzle of the peanut sauce.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Chicken — For extra tenderness, you can marinate the chicken overnight. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before threading the chicken to prevent burning.
• Lemongrass — Use only the white part of the lemongrass stalk, as the green part is tough and fibrous. Finely chop it to release its aromatic flavors.
• Tamarind paste — If you can't find tamarind paste, you can substitute it with lime juice for a tangy flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• Soak the wooden skewers in water before grilling to prevent them from burning.
• Baste the chicken skewers with the peanut sauce while grilling for an extra layer of flavor.
• For a spicier peanut sauce, add more red chili peppers or a dash of chili powder.
• If you prefer a smoother peanut sauce, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve after blending.
• Leftover peanut sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week and used as a dip or sauce for other dishes.

Serving advice

Serve the Sate Kere with steamed rice, cucumber slices, and shallot slices. Drizzle the peanut sauce generously over the skewers and rice for a burst of flavor. Garnish with chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro for an added touch of freshness.

Presentation advice

Arrange the grilled chicken skewers on a platter, placing the cucumber and shallot slices alongside. Pour the peanut sauce into a small bowl and place it in the center of the platter. Sprinkle some chopped peanuts and cilantro over the skewers for an appealing presentation.