Mega hit: Ron Blaauw’s Indonesian rijsttafel at home
Now more than ever, I’m craving eating together, dishes that make being together feel even more special. Like huddling around a pan of steaming cheese fondue together, or enjoying a genuine Indonesian rijsttafel. Ron Blaauw understands that better than anyone and, now that his restaurants are closed, is bringing his famous rijsttafel to your home. Ding dong!
Just when I think, ‘Gosh, I could eat something,’ the doorbell rings. A cheerful young man hands me a black box: “Here you go, enjoy your meal!” The box is filled with all kinds of little boxes containing Indonesian delicacies. “It’s really easy—a child could do it!”
Scan the QR code and go!
He didn’t say a word too many. There’s a QR code on the side of the box and, once scanned, I find the most convenient preparation instructions ever. This isn’t a difficult DIY kit, but a genuinely ready-to-eat rijsttafel that only needs to be reheated. Everything is numbered, in different colours, and the toppings are numbered too, referring back to the corresponding dishes. It really is that simple:
1. Preheat the oven to 160 degrees Celsius.
2. Take the black containers with the red numbers on the labels (1 to 10). Do not remove the foil from the containers.
3. Place the containers in the oven for 25 minutes.
4. In the meantime, remove the foil from the black containers with the blue numbers on the labels (11 to 17). Put these in bowls for serving.
5. Remove the black containers from the oven after 25 minutes and take off the foil.
Put these in bowls for serving and sprinkle the correct small cups of topping over them (1 to 10).
A taste of what’s inside
White rice is a must at a rijsttafel, if only to neutralise the spicier food, so naturally it’s included in the package. Nasi goreng (fried rice) is included too. In addition, there are 11 (!) other dishes. A small selection of what’s inside: Babi ketjap (pork in ketjap with star anise and coriander), Ayam bakar (grilled chicken thigh with peanut sauce), Udang peteh (fried prawns with peteh beans and coconut sauce) and Ikan kerrie (fried cod in curry sauce). It really is just a matter of reheating everything and adding the right toppings. The only slight downside: how am I going to find 17 cheerful bowls, including the extra toppings? But with a bit of rummaging through the kitchen cupboards, it works out in no time. What. A. Feast!
Daging rendang
An absolute winner! The beef in this stew has simmered for hours in a fragrant boemboe and coconut milk, with extras such as lemongrass and lime added. And you can taste it: the rich, fresh and mildly spicy flavour of the ingredients has permeated the meat. And the meat itself is so tender that you barely need to chew. Delicious! (Want to make a tasty rendang at home? Try our recipe for a heavenly rendang, or go crazy and try a tasty vegetarian rendang.)
Gado gado
A classic bite of comfort food from Indonesian cuisine. Naturally with (blanched) bean sprouts, green beans, pointed cabbage or cauliflower and egg, but with plenty of peanut sauce taking centre stage. Not satay sauce, but peanut sauce: a thin, homemade version with ketjap and red chilli. Well, opinions differ on the exact ingredients. Some believe the sauce should be made with coconut milk, while others consider that not done. But with or without coconut: a good sauce makes the gado gado. Ron Blaauw’s peanut sauce is simply divine; a little spicy, slightly sweet… a small tip: ask for an extra portion! If only to dip that fantastic emping in it!
Sambal goreng telor
A simple but oh-so-delicious dish of (hard-)boiled egg that has simmered for a while in a mildly spicy boemboe with coconut milk. The eggs are only cut in half just before serving, allowing you to taste that genuine egg flavour too. Ron Blaauw’s eggs are cooked perfectly—not too hard—and are deliciously spicy as well.
Indonesian rijsttafel at home too?
Believe me, every bite is utterly delicious. Refined, elegant, spicy, rich and comforting. The rijsttafel for 4 people costs €99. You can also choose Nasi rames meat for 2 people (€39), Nasi rames fish for 2 people (€39), or Nasi rames vegetarian for 2 people (€39). You can order here. To get you even more in the mood, you can also play the playlist compiled by Ron Blaauw, featuring songs such as ‘Geef mij maar nasi goreng’, while cooking—or, er, reheating! Selamat Makan!
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