JUKUT ARES - traditional Balinese dish made with banana stems cooked in a spicy coconut broth

 "Jukut Ares" is a traditional Balinese dish made with banana stems cooked in a spicy coconut broth. It's a unique and flavorful dish often enjoyed in Bali. Here's a recipe to make Jukut Ares:

Ingredients:

• 1 banana stem (approximately 500 grams), peeled and sliced thinly
• 200 grams of beef or pork, thinly sliced (optional)
• 400 ml of thick coconut milk
• 2 kaffir lime leaves, torn
• 2 lemongrass stalks, bruised
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 salam leaves (Indonesian bay leaves)
• 3 red chilies, sliced (adjust to taste)
• 3 shallots, finely chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 cm piece of galangal, bruised
• 2 cm piece of turmeric, bruised (or 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder)
• 2 tablespoons of tamarind juice
• 1 teaspoon of shrimp paste (terasi), toasted
• 1 teaspoon of palm sugar or brown sugar
• Salt to taste
• Cooking oil

Instructions:

1. Prepare the banana stem by removing the outer layers and slicing thinly. Soak the sliced banana stem in water with a little lime juice to prevent discoloration.
2. In a large pot, heat some cooking oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, chopped shallots, sliced chilies, galangal, and turmeric. Sauté until fragrant.
3. Add the sliced beef or pork (if using) and cook until it's no longer pink.
4. Add the torn kaffir lime leaves, bruised lemongrass stalks, bay leaves, and salam leaves to the pot. Stir well to combine.
5. Pour in the thick coconut milk and bring the mixture to a simmer.
6. Add the tamarind juice, shrimp paste, palm sugar, and salt to the pot. Stir to combine all the ingredients.
7. Drain the soaked banana stem slices and add them to the pot. Stir well to coat the banana stems with the coconut broth.
8. Cover the pot and simmer the Jukut Ares for about 20-25 minutes, or until the banana stems are tender and the flavors have melded together.
9. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Add more salt or sugar according to your taste preference.
10. Once cooked, remove the pot from the heat and discard the lemongrass stalks, bay leaves, and salam leaves.
11. Serve the Jukut Ares hot with steamed rice.

Enjoy your flavorful and aromatic Jukut Ares, a traditional Balinese dish that's perfect for a hearty meal!