 Nasi liwet rice dish in rich coconut milk, chicken and egg. | |
| Course | Main course |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Indonesia[1] |
| Region or state | Surakarta,Central Java[2] |
| Created by | CentralJavanese |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Rice cooked in richcoconut milk surrounded with side dishes |
Nasi liwet is a CentralJavaneserice dish cooked in coconut milk, added withchicken broth,salam leaves,lemongrass, andspices, fromSolo,Central Java,Indonesia.[1] Thus, the rice has a rich, aromatic, and succulent taste.[3]
The uniqueness of nasi liwet is that it applies a traditionalJavanese way ofcooking rice in coconut milk. Another popular variant of the dish is the Sundanese style ofnasi liwet fromWest Java. It is a uniqueSundanese cuisine with different taste and presentation, fromthe Sundanese eating tradition calledngeliwet orbotram[4] (a dish made with banana leaves and eaten together).
Nasi liwet is topped with a few small slices ofomelette, shredded chicken that has been cooked in coconut milk, and a spoonful of a thick aromatic coconut cream calledkumut.[1] Served alongside nasi liwet isopor ayam (a delicate chicken in a mild white coconut milk-based sauce scented with galangal and lime leaves),telur pindang (eggs boiled slowly with spices),tempeh, andlabu siam (chayote) as the vegetable.[3]
Traditionally, the pan used for cooking was made of clay. The taste and aroma are generally better if it is cooked on a wood fire, but different regions have different ways of preparing it. Traditionally, it is served on a banana leaf orteak leaf. Frequently, people prefer teak leaves to plates because of the natural fragrance of the leaf. Nasi liwet complements (side dishes) always consist of coconut milk.[citation needed]
InSolo, nasi liwet is usually eaten forbreakfast, but is also a popular choice forlunch orsupper. In the Keprabon subdistrict Surakarta, nasi liwet is only served for supper at nighttime. Similar rice-coconut milk dishes can be found in other parts ofIndonesia, such asnasi uduk fromBetawi cuisine,nasi gurih fromAcehnese cuisine, andnasi lemak fromMalay cuisine.[citation needed]
