Ingredients with Measurements:
- 2 cups of water
- 2 lemongrass stalks, bruised
- 2 pandan leaves, tied into a knot
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 cloves
- 3 cardamom pods
- 1 star anise
- 1 tsp of ginger powder
- 1 tsp of vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp of palm sugar
- 1 ripe avocado, sliced
- 1 ripe tomato, diced
- Ice cubes
Special equipment needed:
- Pot
- Strainer
- Serving glasses
Step-by-step instructions:
1. In a pot, combine water, lemongrass, pandan leaves, cinnamon stick, cloves, cardamom pods, and star anise. Bring to a boil and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
2. Add ginger powder, vanilla extract, and palm sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Turn off the heat and let it cool.
3. Strain the mixture and discard the solids.
4. In a serving glass, add ice cubes, sliced avocado, and diced tomato.
5. Pour the bir pletok mixture over the ice and stir gently.
6. Serve immediately.
Time:
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Temperature:
Room temperature
Serving size:
4 servings
Nutritional information:
Calories: 90
Fat: 4g
Carbohydrates: 14g
Protein: 1g
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 5mg
Substitutions for ingredients:
- Lemongrass: You can use lemon zest or lemon juice as a substitute.
- Pandan leaves: You can use vanilla extract as a substitute.
- Palm sugar: You can use brown sugar or honey as a substitute.
- Avocado: You can use banana or mango as a substitute.
- Tomato: You can use cucumber or watermelon as a substitute.
Variations:
- You can add a splash of coconut milk for a creamier texture.
- You can add a squeeze of lime juice for a tangy flavor.
- You can add a pinch of salt for a savory taste.
Tips and tricks:
- Make sure to bruise the lemongrass stalks before adding them to the pot to release their flavor.
- You can adjust the sweetness level by adding more or less palm sugar.
- You can adjust the spiciness level by adding more or less ginger powder.
- You can adjust the consistency by adding more or less water.
Storage instructions:
This recipe is best served fresh and should not be stored.
Reheating instructions:
N/A
Presentation ideas:
Serve in a clear glass to showcase the layers of avocado and tomato.
Garnishes:
- Mint leaves
- Lime wedges
Pairings:
- Indonesian snacks such as fried tofu or tempeh.
- Indonesian main dishes such as nasi goreng or gado-gado.
Suggested side dishes:
- Indonesian salad such as karedok or lotek.
- Indonesian soup such as soto ayam or sayur asem.
Troubleshooting advice:
- If the bir pletok is too sweet, add more water to dilute the sweetness.
- If the bir pletok is too spicy, add more ice cubes to cool it down.
Food safety advice:
- Make sure to wash the avocado and tomato before slicing and dicing.
- Make sure to discard any spoiled or rotten ingredients.
Food history:
Bir pletok is a traditional Indonesian herbal drink that originated from Jakarta. It is made with a combination of spices and herbs such as lemongrass, pandan leaves, and ginger. It is believed to have medicinal properties and is often consumed to relieve cold and flu symptoms.
Flavor profiles:
Bir pletok has a sweet and spicy flavor with hints of lemongrass and ginger.
Serving suggestions:
Serve as a refreshing drink on a hot day or as a dessert after a meal.
Related Categories
Cooking Method: N/A
Course Type: N/A
Dietary: N/A
Ingredient: N/A
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Region: Indonesian