The Plated Scene

Vegan Mushroom Satay with Peanut Sauce

Ika BhagchandaniMarch 2, 20241864 views

Satay (in Indonesia, we usually call it “Sate”) is a grilled skewer dish famous in Southeast Asia. It is similar to Middle Eastern kebab but is served with a sauce. Most of the time, satay is made of meat, but other ingredients like mushrooms, tofu, and tempe are not uncommon. In this recipe, we will make vegan mushroom satay! Satay Varieties There are many varieties of satay based on the meat used, the way the meat is cooked, the spice used for the seasoning, and the sauce served with it. One study in Indonesia says there are 252 varieties of…

Vegan Wonton Soup: A Comforting Bowl of Plant-Based Goodness

The Plated SceneNovember 22, 2024033 views

When you think of comfort food, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s something warm, soothing, and flavorful—a dish that feels like a hug in a bowl. For me, it’s always been vegan wonton soup. The steamy broth, tender dumplings, and fresh veggies create a perfect balance of lightness and heartiness. But as someone who’s embraced a plant-based lifestyle, I had to find a way to enjoy this classic dish without compromising on flavor. This recipe is a game-changer. It’s not just for vegans—it’s for anyone looking to enjoy a simple, wholesome meal full of flavor that comes together quickly. Whether…

Vegan Wontons: Simple Recipe for Delicious Dumplings

The Plated SceneJune 15, 20240130 views

Craving something savory, crispy, and plant-based? These vegan wontons are the perfect solution! If you try to google the wonton recipe, you will find that it usually uses meat as its main ingredient. A similar thing will happen if you visit a regular Chinese restaurant. It is pretty rare to find a vegan or vegetarian version of the wonton; therefore, if you are a vegan and crave it, one solution is to try to make it! This post is the first part of the Vegan Wonton series, where I will share how to make the wonton from scratch until it…

Sayur Bening Bayam (Spinach Clear & Sweet Soup)

Ika BhagchandaniJune 2, 20240403 views

Sayur Bening Bayam is a traditional Indonesian vegetable clear soup that is light, nutritious, and easy to prepare. It features spinach (Bayam) as the main ingredient, complemented by corn (or carrot) and simple seasonings. sayur = vegetable dish; bening = clear soup; bayam = spinach There are 2 unique things that you have to remember from this recipe: This dish tastes very clean and light, and I love it when my mother cooks it. When she does, I eat three plates of rice bowl. Yes, three; I didn’t write it incorrectly. Even though this can be eaten by itself, I…

Bakwan Jagung (Corn Fritter) – a Crispy Treat from Indonesia

Ika BhagchandaniMay 5, 20240557 views

This is one of the savory—sweet Indonesian snacks that I will never be able to resist! A crispy and crunchy deep-fried corn fritter (bakwan jagung) famous from North Sulawesi (Manado) will be everyone’s favorite! We Indonesians love to fry everything, including fruit such as bananas or vegetables like cabbage (yes, we do fry ’em) and corn, which we will make in this recipe. Bakwan jagung, or bakwan in general, is classified under “gorengan,” a term in Indonesia for a deep-fried snack. What is Bakwan and Bakwan Jagung? So Bakwan is a general term in Indonesia for any deep-fried fritters. You…

Terik Tahu Tempe (Tofu and Tempeh Stew in Coconut Milk)

Ika BhagchandaniApril 28, 20241445 views

Terik tahu tempe is a traditional Indonesian cuisine that is accidentally vegan. It is rich in coconut milk with a hint of sweetness and traditional Indonesian spices. Try this recipe if you are bored with your regular cooking method for tofu and tempeh. If you grow up eating Indonesian food, you should realize there are many types of curry, and terik is one of them. Other types of curry in Indonesia are gulai (view my jackfruit gulai recipe here), lodeh, and opor (I will share both recipes later in another post). “I have no idea what Terik Tahu Tempe is”…

Gudeg Yogya Recipe: The Culinary Treasure from Central Java

Ika BhagchandaniApril 13, 20240512 views

Gudeg Yogya is a niche food. People who like it will love it, like me 😂. But people who dislike it will never try this food again. One of the reasons for that is probably the sweet taste of this dish. Most people associate sweet food with dessert, so it will feel alien to some when they come across a sweet main course dish. That’s why I said gudeg is a niche food. However, as one of the gudeg lovers, I have an obligation to share it with the world ✈️. To let people know that this yummy food exists.…

Gulai Nangka (Jackfruit Curry) Recipe – Vegan

Ika BhagchandaniApril 6, 20242652 views

Gulai Nangka? Meat-free curry? Yes, Please! Gulai Nangka is a delicious Indonesian dish of young jackfruit in coconut yellow curry. The main ingredient, as its name suggests, is young jackfruit. It is cooked in spices and coconut milk, along with other vegetables like long beans. The flavor of the dish improves over several days after cooking, as the spices meld over time, and the vegetables truly absorb the flavor. In Indonesia, this dish is commonly found in restaurants that serve Padang Cuisine, which is named after Padang, the capital city of Western Sumatra province. Imagine eating this with a warm bowl…

Tofu Tempe Bacem Recipe (Braised Tempe and Tofu) – Vegan

Ika BhagchandaniMarch 31, 20241595 views

Tofu tempe bacem is a humble traditional Indonesian dish from Yogyakarta and Central Java. Like many other Javanese dishes, it has a sweet and savory flavor. You can eat this tahu and tempe bacem as a snack or with rice and vegetable dishes. My mother’s hometown is Surakarta, a city in Central Java that most people know as “Solo.” We usually visit this city once a year and never miss a visit to its traditional market. You can easily find people selling tahu and tempe bacem, common street foods in that market. Besides Solo, there is also one region famous…

Vegan Mie Goreng (Fried Noodle)

Ika BhagchandaniMarch 23, 20242417 views

Most people probably know about Indonesian mie goreng from the instant brand of “Indomie”. This recipe is the classic version of that noodle. Vegan mie goreng is a dish that will please everyone in the family. Crunchy vegetables, chewy noodles, sweet sticky sauce, what’s not to like? It’s easy to make on a weeknight and delicious enough to serve anyone. So what exactly is mie goreng? “Mie” in Indonesia is noodle, and “goreng” means fried, so “mie goreng” is a fried noodle. This Indonesian food is heavily influenced by Chinese cuisine but has a definite Indonesian taste. One key differentiator…

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