Ingredients

1 teaspoon tamarind pod
200 ml warm water
1 shallot , sliced
3 garlic cloves , minced
1 inch fresh ginger , peeled and sliced
1 red chili pepper , seeded and sliced
3 tablespoons raw peanuts
1 teaspoon shrimp paste
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 cups low-fat chicken broth
1/2 cup salted peanuts , coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 chayote , peeled , seeded , and sliced thin
1/2 cup frozen green beans , ends trimmed
1/3 cup frozen corn kernels
Indonesian Vegetable Sour Soup (Sayur Asam) is a classic Indonesian soup that is popular across Southeast Asia. It is a nutritious and satisfying meal that is made with a variety of fresh vegetables, herbs, and spices. The soup has a tangy and spicy flavor that comes from the tamarind pulp, chili pepper, and shrimp paste. It is usually served as a main course dish with steamed rice.

Instructions

1.Break tamarind pod and soak it in warm water. Squeeze it to extract the pulp. Strain and discard the fibrous pith and seeds.
2.In a food processor, grind shallots, garlic, ginger, chili pepper, raw peanuts, shrimp paste, and salt to make a paste.
3.In a pot, bring chicken broth and chopped peanuts to a boil. Reduce heat and stir in the shallot paste. Let it simmer for 5 minutes.
4.Add the brown sugar, tamarind pulp, chayote, green beans, and corn kernels. Let it simmer for another 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Serve hot.

PROS

Indonesian Vegetable Sour Soup (Sayur Asam) is a comforting and flavorful soup that is perfect for a warming dinner on cold nights.
It is low in calories and fat, making it a healthy option for those watching their diet.
The recipe is also easy to customize by adding in your favorite vegetables and adjusting the amount of spice to your liking.

CONS

The soup has a sour and spicy taste, which might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
It requires some unique ingredients like tamarind pulp and shrimp paste, which might be hard to find in some grocery stores.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

This soup is full of healthy vegetables like chayote, green beans, and corn kernels that provide essential vitamins and minerals. Tamarind pulp has been shown to aid in digestion and lower blood sugar levels. Shrimp paste is a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which support heart health.

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