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Kue bawang
Fried shallot ribbons
Savoury shallot and celery-leaf ribbons fried crisp for Lebaran jars
Kue bawang, 'onion cookies', are the salty partner to all the sweet things on an Indonesian Lebaran table. Thin ribbons of dough scented with shallot, garlic and chopped celery leaf are fried until they crackle, and families nibble them from jars while visiting each other during the Eid holidays. They are crisp, savoury and very moreish with sweet tea. Chef's tip: roll the dough so thin you can almost see the worktop through it; thick ribbons stay hard rather than shattering.
- Total time
- 60 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 12
Ingredients
For the dough
- 9 oz plain flour
- 1 ¾ oz tapioca starch
- 4 shallotsfinely grated
- 3 cloves garlicfinely grated
- ½ oz celery leavesfinely chopped
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup coconut milk
- 1 oz buttermelted
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground white pepper
For frying
- 4 ¼ cups vegetable oil
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Mix 9 oz plain flour, 1 ¾ oz tapioca starch, 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp ground white pepper. Add 4 shallots, 3 cloves garlic, ½ oz celery leaves, 1 egg, 1 oz butter and ¼ cup coconut milk and knead for 5 minutes into a smooth, firm dough.
10 minStep 2: Rest the dough, covered, for 10 minutes so it rolls out without springing back.
10 minStep 3: Roll small pieces paper-thin with a pasta machine or rolling pin and cut into ribbons 1 cm wide and 8 cm long; twist or knot each one loosely.
15 minStep 4: Heat 4 ¼ cups vegetable oil to 325°F and fry the ribbons in batches for 2–3 minutes until pale golden and crisp. A common mistake is crowding the pan, which drops the oil temperature and makes them greasy.
25 minStep 5: Drain well and cool completely before storing airtight for up to 3 weeks.
15 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 170 kcal
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbs
- 20 g
- Fat
- 9 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does kue bawang take?
- About 60 minutes in total: 30 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 12 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of plain flour?
- Self-raising flour, same amount (then leave out the baking powder).
- What can I use instead of shallots?
- Half an onion per 2 shallots.
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