Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Fried Rice)

Ingredients

• 3-4 cups day-old cooked white rice (cold, separate grains)
• 2-3 tablespoons cooking oil
• 2 large shallots, finely sliced or minced
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2-4 red chilies (or bird's eye chilies), sliced or crushed (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon shrimp paste (terasi/belacan), optional, toasted and crushed
• 2 tablespoons sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
• Salt to taste
• 150g protein of choice (e.g., diced chicken breast, shrimp, or a mix)
• 2 large eggs (for scramble or fried sunny-side up)
• Optional additions: sliced cabbage, green beans, or carrots
• Garnish (optional): fried shallots, cucumber slices, tomato wedges, kerupuk (prawn crackers)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Aromatics: If using, toast the shrimp paste (terasi) until fragrant, then crush. In a mortar and pestle or food processor, grind or finely mince shallots, garlic, and chilies (and crushed shrimp paste if using) into a coarse paste.
2. Cook Protein: Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a large wok or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add your chosen protein (chicken, shrimp, etc.) and stir-fry until cooked through. Remove and set aside if not scrambling eggs in the same pan.
3. Sauté Aromatics: Add the prepared aromatic paste to the hot wok. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned.
4. Add Egg: Push the aromatics to one side of the wok. Crack one egg into the empty space and scramble it until almost set. Break it into smaller pieces and mix with the aromatics. (Alternatively, you can fry eggs sunny-side up separately later for serving.)
5. Combine & Add Rice: Return the cooked protein to the wok. Add the day-old cooked rice. Break up any clumps with a spatula.
6. Season: Pour in the sweet soy sauce (kecap manis), light soy sauce, white pepper, and salt.
7. Stir-fry: Stir-fry vigorously, tossing and mixing everything together for 5-7 minutes, ensuring the rice is evenly coated with the sauces and heated through. Continue to break up any remaining clumps of rice.
8. Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, topped with a freshly fried sunny-side up egg (if not scrambled in), fried shallots, cucumber, tomato, and kerupuk on the side as garnish.