How to Cook Telor Besengek
Indonesia, an archipelago with more than 17,000 islands, is a melting pot of diverse cultures, traditions, and of course, great cuisines. Among the myriad of culinary treasures the country offers, there lies a lesser-known gem called “Besengek” or “telor Besengek”. This dish predominantly comprises eggs and showcases the harmony of flavors quintessential to Indonesian cuisine. Let’s delve deeper into the world of Besengek and uncover its flavors and historical significance.
Historical Roots
While the precise historical origins of Besengek are not widely documented, it is believed to have roots in Javanese cuisine, one of Indonesia’s major ethnic groups. Historically, Javanese cuisine, like many other Indonesian culinary traditions, is a testament to the country’s history of trade, colonization, and migration, blending indigenous ingredients with foreign culinary influences.
What is Besengek?
At its core, Besengek is a spicy coconut milk-based sauce or gravy, often served with eggs (telor) that have been boiled and then fried. The name “Besengek” is derived from the Javanese word “sengek” which means spicy. True to its name, this dish packs a flavorful punch, making it a favorite among those who enjoy a good spice in their meals.
Ingredients and Preparation
The rich flavors of Besengek come from a harmonious blend of various ingredients and spices. The primary ingredients include:
- Boiled eggs: These are often fried until they develop a golden-brown skin, which adds texture and flavor to the dish.
- Coconut milk: This is the base of the sauce, lending it a rich and creamy consistency.
- Spices and herbs: A blend of shallots, garlic, candlenuts, dried shrimp paste, galangal, turmeric, red chili, and lemongrass is ground into a paste and sautéed until fragrant. This forms the foundational flavor of Besengek.
- Salt, sugar, and lime leaves are added for seasoning and taste.
The preparation involves sautéing the ground spice mix until aromatic, then adding coconut milk and allowing it to simmer gently. The fried eggs are then added to the simmering gravy, ensuring they soak up the flavorsome sauce. It’s often garnished with fried shallots and served warm.
Serving Besengek
Besengek is typically enjoyed as a side dish, accompanying steamed rice. Due to its rich and spicy nature, it pairs well with other milder dishes, making it an integral part of festive feasts and family gatherings.
Conclusion
Indonesia’s vast culinary landscape is a testament to its rich cultural tapestry. Among the many flavorful dishes it offers, Besengek stands out as a simple yet deeply flavorful delight. For those looking to explore Indonesian cuisine beyond the usual suspects like rendang or satay, telor Besengek offers a tantalizing journey for the taste buds. It is an embodiment of what Indonesian cuisine represents: a symphony of flavors, traditions, and histories blending seamlessly on a plate.
How to Cook Telor Besengek
Ingredients
- 6 eggs
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
- 1 lemongrass stalk, chopped
- 1 onion, peeled and chopped
- 7 fl oz coconut milk
- 7 fl oz vegetable stock
- 2 tbsp sunflower oil
- 1 tsp Indonesian shrimp paste
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp sambal oelek
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a saucepan of water to boil and lower the eggs gently into it.
- Cook them for about 5 minutes to stop them from becoming hard-boiled and cool them under cold running water.
- Peel off their shells and set aside.
- Toss the garlic, lemongrass, onion, shrimp paste, sambal, sugar and spices into a mortar and pound them with a pestle into a smooth paste.
- Drizzle some oil in a wok and heat it over moderate heat until it shimmers.
- Add the above paste into it and stir fry for a couple of minutes or until it turns fragrant.
- Pour in the stock, followed by the coconut milk and whisk them all together until well combined.
- Drop the eggs into the simmering sauce and gently simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Adjust the seasonings if necessary and continue to cook for another half a minute.
- Tip it into a serving bowl and serve warm.
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
Last Updated on September 26, 2023 by Carleen
