Easy Seafood Nasi Goreng Recipe: Quick and Delicious

If you're searching for a quick and delicious recipe to spice up your meals, seafood nasi goreng is the perfect dish for you!

It is a traditional Indonesian-style recipe, which means fried rice and is regarded as one of Indonesia's 5 national dishes.

Packed with strong flavours and unique textures, seafood nasi goreng will bring the authentic taste of Indonesia straight to your kitchen. Whether you're craving shrimp, squid, or a combination of seafood, this nasi goreng recipe will definitely satisfy your cravings.

Plus, it's a great way to make use of leftover rice and enjoy a comforting meal with savoury goodness.

What is Seafood Nasi Goreng?

Nasi goreng (fried rice) is a popular dish served across Indonesia, often regarded as a national food.

It's a staple meal that is versatile and delicious, coming in unique versions in every Indonesian household. What makes it different from regular fried rice recipes is its special blend of sweet and savoury ingredients like Kecap Manis (a thick textured sweet soy sauce), which brings about its signature dark colour and caramelized flavour.

Traditionally, it is made with cold rice so that it absorbs the rich seasonings while remaining firm and non-mushy.

Although nasi goreng can be made with several kinds of proteins, such as chicken, beef, and even tofu, this recipe focuses on the seafood version that includes shrimp, squid, and other delights.

Essential Ingredients Needed For Seafood Nasi Goreng

For this recipe, you will need a special mix of seafood, flavorful seasonings, and essential Indonesian ingredients, most of which can be found in major supermarkets in-store and online.

1. 2 cups rice (preferably long-grain rice or basmati rice).
2. 200g shrimp, peeled and deveined.
3. 150g squid, cleaned and sliced.
4. 2 tbsp oil (vegetable or sunflower)
5. 2 garlic cloves, minced.
6. 2 green onions or spring onions (chopped)
7. 2 tbsp kecap manis (you can use a substitute mix of brown sugar and sweet soy sauce as well).
8. 1 tbsp fish sauce.
9. 1 tbsp chilli sauce (optional).
10. 100g green beans, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces.
11. 1/2 tsp white pepper.
12. Slices of cucumber and bean sprouts.
13. Fresh lime wedges.
14. 1 teaspoon salt or to taste.

A Step-by-Step Recipe for Seafood Nasi Goreng

Here's a step-by-step recipe you can follow to bring this delicious Indonesian dish to your kitchen:

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

Before you start cooking, make sure to keep all your ingredients ready. Chop the garlic cloves, onion, and green onions. If you're using leftover rice, break up any clumps so that it's easier to stir-fry. Slice the squid and prepare your shrimp.

Step 2: Sauté

Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic cloves and chopped onion, and cook for a couple of minutes until it is golden. You can also add in a few thinly sliced green beans at this stage to bring in a nice crunchy texture.

Step 3: Cook the Seafood

Reduce the heat to medium and add in the rice. Stir-fry the rice for a few minutes, till it absorbs the remaining oil and flavours from the pan. Then add 2 tbsp of kecap manis, fish sauce, and chilli sauce (if you like spicy sauce).

Mix it well until the rice is evenly coated in the sauces. If you're using the brown sugar substitute to kecap manis, then make sure the sugar melts completely into the rice for the caramelized taste.

Step 5: Combine

Bring the cooked seafood to the pan and gently fold it into the rice. Add all the chopped green onions and stir thoroughly. Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning to your taste. If you like it sweeter, you can add a pinch of sugar or more kecap manis.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Once the rice is properly mixed with the seafood, shift it to serving plates. Garnish it with cucumber slices, bean sprouts, and a wedge of lime for a tangy flavour. The fresh cucumber not only adds a cooling element but also contrasts the rich flavours of the fried rice.

Additional Tips for Serving Seafood Nasi Goreng

Here are a few additional tips you can incorporate to level up your seafood nasi goreng:

Use Cold Rice

One of the biggest tips for perfecting nasi goreng is using leftover chilled rice. Freshly cooked rice can be too soft and sticky, whereas cold rice is firm and absorbs the sauces better.

Kecap Manis

Kecap manis is the key ingredient for this dish.

If you cannot find it anywhere, you can create a similar mix by combining regular soy sauce with brown sugar or palm sugar to create a sweet and caramelized effect.

If you're in a rush and still want to make this dish, you can also try an instant nasi goreng seasoning paste and add it when frying leftover rice.

Medium Heat

Make sure to cook the aromatic and seafood on medium heat only to avoid burning and ensure that the flavours are well-developed.

Add Some Crunch

Fresh garnishes such as bean sprouts, sliced cucumbers, and fried shallots can take your nasi goreng to the next level with the crunch they bring by adding more texture and freshness.

Conclusion

Whether you're completely new to Indonesian food or a fan of fried rice dishes, this seafood nasi goreng will definitely become a favourite.

Its rich flavours, crunchy textures, and quick preparation make it the perfect dish for anyone who's looking for rice recipes.

Try it out and enjoy a meal of deliciousness that will take you straight to the streets of Indonesia!

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