Lodeh refers to any coconut-based curry dish in Indonesia. Sayur lodeh, as its name suggests, usually consists of a variety of mixed vegetables. While there are variations on the dish that include belacan, prawns or chicken stock, this recipe is completely vegan for anyone who needs it.

Flavours and pairings

Fresh turmeric makes all the difference in this dish, it adds an incredible floral note to the curry that can’t quite be replicated by its powdered form. So do give it a go, but take note not to blend it with the rest of the ingredients as it will stain your blender (unless it is plastic). Serve with rice or lemang for good measure.

Ingredients

To blend

• 3 medium shallots
• 4 red chillies
• 2 lemongrass stalks, white base finely sliced
• 4-5 cloves garlic
• 2 inch piece fresh galangal (lengkuas)
• 1 inch piece fresh turmeric (or substitute with ¾ teaspoon turmeric powder when cooking the rempah)

To cook

• 2 lemongrass stalks, green tops tied into knots
• 1 carrot, sliced into rounds at an angle
• 6-8 pieces of fried tofu puffs, cut into halves
• 150g white cabbage, finely sliced
• 6 long beans, cut into 1-inch pieces lengthways
• 200ml coconut milk

Method

• Blend all the rempah ingredients together until a fine paste is achieved.
• In a pan, heat three tablespoons of oil on a low-medium fire.
• Add the rempah, green lemongrass knots and salt.
• Cook on a low-medium flame, stirring throughout for about 10-12 minutes, or until the oil begins to split. The paste should have turned a wonderful shade of orange at this stage.
• Add carrots, cabbage, tofu puffs. Then add water to just about cover the ingredients.
• Allow to simmer on a low-medium heat for five to eight minutes, or until the carrots are cooked but still retain a little bite.
• At this stage add the long beans and coconut milk.
• Turn the heat down to low and allow to simmer gently for another 3-5 minutes.
• Long beans should be cooked but still retain some bite at this stage. Serve at once to drench all over a generous helping of rice.

@theorangesieve serves up recipes from the heart, inspired by travels near and far. It’s all about food that humbly invites you to discover the truth about flavour, that is: the people, the culture and the stories behind them. The kind of food that leaves you with a smile for reasons you can’t quite put your finger on.