Known for its spicy nature and rich flavours, Indonesian cuisine is also famous for its unique blend of sweet and sour spiciness. A typical Indonesian sauce includes chilli padi, shrimp paste, sugar and white vinegar. Though Indonesian and Nonya cuisines share very similar cooking techniques and ingredients, the most distinguished feature of the latter is that besides amalgamating the Chinese style of cooking of cooking and its rich culture into its cuisine; pork is also used. This is absent from traditional Indonesian dishes.
While the Indonesians' chief staple is rice, meat, seafood and different types of vegetables are usually served to complement the meal. Being the main exporter in spices, pepper, cloves, cardamoms and curry powder are common seasonings used in Indonesian cuisine. In addition, coconut milk, chillies, palm sugar, shrimp paste, peanuts, candlenuts, tamarind, onions, garlic and other aromatic spices are also commonly used. Among all, chilli is definitely a necessity in whipping up an authentic Indonesian meal. Common cooking techniques adopted are pan-frying, deep-frying, stir-frying as well as grilling. Steaming and stewing are rarely used.
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