Introduction

Do you love salads, but find them boring or lacking in flavor? Do you want to add more color and nutrition to your meals but don’t know how? Look no further than gado-gado, a traditional Indonesian salad that is both tasty and healthy.

Gado-gado literally means “mix-mix” in Indonesian, and it is exactly that – a mix of various vegetables, protein, and a flavorful peanut sauce. It’s a versatile dish that can incorporate whatever vegetables or protein you have on hand, making it perfect for using up leftovers or incorporating seasonal produce. Not to mention, it’s vegetarian and vegan-friendly.

Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped lettuce or cabbage
• 1 cup boiled or steamed vegetables (such as green beans, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, or potatoes)
• 1/2 cup sliced cucumber
• 1/2 cup sliced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup firm tofu or boiled eggs, sliced
• 1/4 cup bean sprouts
• 1/4 cup fried shallots or onions
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Peanut Sauce:
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup coconut milk
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon tamarind paste or lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Hot water (as needed to thin the sauce)

Instructions

1. Arrange the chopped lettuce or cabbage on a large serving plate.
2. Arrange the boiled or steamed vegetables, sliced cucumber, tomatoes, tofu or boiled eggs, and bean sprouts on top of the lettuce or cabbage.
3. In a small bowl, mix together the peanut butter, coconut milk, minced garlic, soy sauce, tamarind paste or lemon juice, sugar, and hot water (as needed) to create a smooth, pourable sauce.
4. Pour the peanut sauce over the vegetables, and sprinkle fried shallots or onions on top.
5. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
6. Enjoy your colorful and nutritious gado-gado salad!

Cool Tricks and Facts

1. Gado-gado is often served as a main dish, but can also be a side dish or appetizer.

2. In Indonesia, gado-gado is a popular street food and can be found in many food stalls or vendors.

3. The peanut sauce can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to a week.

4. Gado-gado is a great way to incorporate various vegetables into your diet, and can also be a fun way to get kids interested in eating their veggies.

5. You can customize the salad with your favorite vegetables or protein, such as tempeh, corn, or avocado.