Satay is a popular Southeast Asian dish that consists of marinated grilled skewers of meat, typically chicken, beef, or pork. The meat is usually served with a peanut sauce, which is a creamy and flavorful condiment made from peanuts, chili peppers, and other spices. Making satay together can be a fun and engaging activity for the whole family. It’s a great way to spend quality time together and introduce your kids to different cultures.
Ingredients for the Satay Recipe
- 1 large red onion, chopped
- 2 large garlic cloves, chopped
- 3 stalks lemon grass, chopped
- ½ cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon peanut oil
- 1 tablespoon ground turmeric
- 1 ½ teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves – pounded thin
- 12 wooden or bamboo skewers
Method
In a large nonreactive bowl, stir together the onion, garlic, lemon grass, soy sauce, peanut oil, turmeric, brown sugar, cumin, ginger, salt, and pepper. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of marinade in a small bowl, and refrigerate until cooking time. Mix the chicken breasts into the remaining marinade, stir to coat well, and marinate in refrigerator overnight.
About 30 minutes before serving, soak the skewers in water. Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil the grate.
Remove the chicken breasts from the bowl, and discard the used marinade. Cut each chicken breast on the diagonal into 6 long strips, and thread a chicken strip onto one of the soaked skewers. Grill the skewers, turning frequently and basting with the reserved marinade, until the chicken is cooked through with brown, crispy edges, 5 to 8 minutes per skewer.
Origin of Satay
Satay has its origins in Indonesia and is a part of Malay cuisine. Malay, as an ethnic group, is distinct from Malaysia, a nation. While Malaysia is a country with a diverse population, including Malays, Chinese, and Indians, Malay refers specifically to the indigenous people of the Malay Peninsula and archipelago, including Indonesia.