Zesty Indonesian Pork Stew Recipe: A Comforting Classic

Savory indonesian pork stew brings warmth to cold evenings with its rich, complex flavors.

Aromatic spices dance through tender meat, creating a culinary experience that connects you to traditional indonesian cooking.

Slow-cooked ingredients meld into a hearty comfort dish that speaks directly to your senses.

Fragrant herbs and carefully selected spices tell a story of generations passing down cherished recipes.

Layers of depth emerge from each carefully prepared bite, inviting you to explore authentic indonesian cuisine.

Robust and satisfying, this stew promises to transport you straight to the vibrant kitchens of indonesia.

Let your taste buds embark on an unforgettable journey through this remarkable culinary tradition.

Why Hairy Bikers Indonesian Pork Stew Is So Flavorful

• Savor Rich Cultural Flavors: Dive into an authentic Indonesian culinary journey that brings traditional spices and cooking techniques directly to your kitchen, creating a deeply satisfying meal.
• Master Complex Cooking with Ease: This recipe transforms intimidating Indonesian cuisine into a straightforward process where layering spices and slow-cooking deliver incredible depth of flavor without requiring advanced chef skills.
• Comfort Food with a Twist: Enjoy a hearty pork stew that combines familiar protein with exotic ingredients like bean paste and mushrooms, making it perfect for family dinners or impressing guests with something uniquely delicious.
• One-Pot Wonder: Minimal cleanup and simple preparation mean you can create a gourmet meal without spending hours in the kitchen, making this recipe a smart choice for busy home cooks seeking restaurant-quality results.

What Goes Into Hairy Bikers Indonesian Pork Stew

• Pork: A hearty protein that provides rich flavor and tender texture for this traditional Indonesian stew.

• Garlic Cloves, Shallots: Provide a deep, sweet, and savory foundation for the stew's complex flavor profile.
• Bean Paste: Adds a robust umami depth and authentic Indonesian taste to the dish.
• Soy Sauce: Contributes a salty, rich undertone that enhances the overall meat flavor.
• Sugar: Balances the savory elements and helps create a subtle caramelization.

• Cinnamon Stick: Introduces a warm, sweet-spicy note that complements the pork's richness.
• Dried Mushrooms: Offer an earthy, intense flavor and interesting texture to the stew.
• Water: Creates the necessary liquid base for slow cooking and developing deep flavors.
• Cooking Oil: Provides a medium for sautéing aromatics and initiating the cooking process.

How To Cook Hairy Bikers Indonesian Pork Stew

Step 1: Prepare Dried Mushrooms

Soak dried mushrooms in warm water for half an hour. Gently squeeze out excess moisture and set them aside, ready to infuse the stew with deep, earthy flavors.

Step 2: Create Aromatic Flavor Base

Combine garlic cloves, shallots, and bean paste in a blender. Pulse until you create a smooth, fragrant paste that will serve as the foundation of your stew’s rich taste profile.

Step 3: Develop Spice Foundation

Pour oil into a large pot and add a cinnamon stick. Introduce the prepared paste and sauté for approximately 5 minutes, allowing the spices to release their intense aromatics and create a robust flavor base.

Step 4: Brown the Pork

Add chunks of pork and whole garlic cloves to the pot. Splash in soy sauce and sprinkle sugar, stirring to ensure the meat gets an even, delicious coating that will caramelize during cooking.

Step 5: Combine Ingredients and Simmer

Incorporate the prepared mushrooms and water into the pot. Cover and let the stew simmer gently for one full hour, allowing the meat to become tender and flavors to meld beautifully.

Step 6: Reduce and Concentrate Flavors

Remove the pot lid and continue simmering for an additional 30 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and help the sauce thicken and intensify.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Allow the stew to rest for a few minutes, letting the flavors settle. Serve alongside steamed rice or warm noodles for a complete and satisfying meal.

Tips To Help With Hairy Bikers Indonesian Pork Stew

• Mushroom Prep Magic: Soak dried mushrooms in warm water to rehydrate fully, ensuring maximum flavor and tender texture in your stew.
• Paste Power Technique: Blend aromatics like garlic, shallots, and bean paste until super smooth for an even, rich base that distributes flavor evenly.
• Low and Slow Simmer Secret: Keep the lid on during the first hour to lock in moisture, then remove to reduce sauce and concentrate flavors intensely.
• Meat Selection Wisdom: Choose fatty pork cuts like shoulder or belly for ultimate tenderness and rich, melt-in-your-mouth results.
• Serving Suggestion Hack: Let the stew rest briefly before serving to allow flavors to settle and sauce to thicken naturally.

Tasty Twists On Hairy Bikers Indonesian Pork Stew

• Chicken Rendang Stew: Replace pork with chicken thighs for a lighter protein option that absorbs spices beautifully.
• Vegetarian Mushroom Braise: Swap pork with firm tofu or tempeh, using vegetable broth instead of water for deeper flavor complexity.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Alternative: Serve stew over cauliflower rice to reduce carbohydrate intake while maintaining the rich Indonesian taste profile.
• Gluten-Free Version: Use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce and ensure bean paste is certified gluten-free for sensitive diners.

What Pairs Well With Hairy Bikers Indonesian Pork Stew

• Savor Flavor-Packed Pairings for Indonesian Pork Stew
• Boost Rice Selection: Choose fragrant jasmine or basmati rice to complement the stew's rich, spicy undertones and absorb the delicious sauce.
• Match Refreshing Beverage: Select a crisp Indonesian Bintang beer or a light white wine like Riesling to balance the stew's deep, complex flavors and cut through its richness.
• Enhance Side Vegetable: Prepare quick-pickled cucumber salad with rice vinegar and chili to add bright, tangy contrast against the hearty, warm stew.
• Recommend Fresh Garnish: Sprinkle chopped green onions and fresh cilantro on top to introduce vibrant herbal notes and add a layer of freshness to the dish.

How To Store Hairy Bikers Indonesian Pork Stew

• Store leftover Indonesian pork stew in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent odor transfer.
• Transfer cooled stew to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal completely, and freeze for up to 3 months. Label with the date to track storage time.
• Place stew in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F.

FAQs For Hairy Bikers Indonesian Pork Stew

• What are the key flavor components in this Indonesian pork stew?

The stew gets its rich, complex flavor from a combination of bean paste, soy sauce, garlic, shallots, and cinnamon, which creates a deep, savory taste profile typical of Indonesian cuisine.

• Why do I need to soak the mushrooms before cooking?

Soaking dried mushrooms helps rehydrate them, softening their texture and releasing their concentrated umami flavor, which adds depth to the stew’s overall taste.

• Can I substitute the pork with another meat?

While pork is traditional, you can use beef or chicken, though this will slightly alter the authentic Indonesian flavor and texture of the original recipe.

Indonesian Pork Stew Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Sumptuous Indonesian pork stew mingles aromatic spices with tender meat, creating a rich culinary journey through Indonesia’s robust flavor landscape. Hearty ingredients and traditional cooking techniques invite you to savor a memorable dining experience that connects comfort with exotic warmth.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) pork belly or shoulder, diced

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 8 garlic cloves
• 1 cup thinly sliced shallots
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 tablespoons fermented bean paste
• 4 tablespoons dark soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Herbs and Oils:

• 8 dried Chinese mushrooms
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1.5 cups (355 milliliters) water

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Instructions

1. Immerse dried mushrooms in tepid water for half an hour, gently pressing out excess liquid and reserving to the side.
2. Transform garlic cloves, shallots, and bean paste into a velvety, uniform mixture using a food processor.
3. Warm cooking oil in a substantial pot, introduce cinnamon stick, then carefully fold in the aromatic paste. Allow flavors to meld and intensify for approximately 5 minutes over medium heat.
4. Incorporate chunks of pork and whole garlic cloves, carefully coating with the fragrant base. Drizzle soy sauce and sprinkle sugar to enhance depth of flavor.
5. Integrate softened mushrooms and pour in sufficient water to barely cover ingredients. Cover pot and reduce heat, allowing stew to gently simmer for 60 minutes.
6. Uncover the pot, continue simmering for an additional 30 minutes to concentrate flavors and thicken sauce. Periodically stir to prevent sticking and ensure even reduction.
7. Allow stew to rest momentarily, permitting flavors to harmonize before presenting alongside steamed rice or tender noodles.

Notes

• Soak dried mushrooms thoroughly to ensure they’re fully rehydrated and packed with flavor, preventing any chewy or tough texture.
• Use a mortar and pestle for a more authentic paste texture if you prefer a more traditional Indonesian cooking method.
• Adjust sugar and soy sauce quantities to balance the savory and sweet profile, accommodating different taste preferences.
• Consider using chicken or tofu as alternative protein options for those avoiding pork, maintaining the rich Indonesian seasoning profile.

• Prep Time: 35 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Indonesian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 439
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 9 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg