Gado Gado with Peanut Sauce
This vibrant Indonesian-inspired salad features a medley of blanched vegetables and tofu, all brought together with a rich and savory peanut sauce. It's a satisfying and fresh meal that can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.
An original recipe by Forkin
- Total time
- 50 min
- Serves
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Per serving
- 492 kcal
Allergen information: may contain gluten, milk, nuts, peanuts, and soy. Always check ingredient packaging if you have an allergy.
Mise en place
Ingredients
Converted for display; the recipe amounts stay equivalent.
salad
- 300 gfirm tofu, pressed and cubed
- 200 ggreen bean, trimmed
- 200 gcabbage, shredded
- 100 gbean sprout
- 2 pcspotato, boiled and sliced
- 1 pcscucumber, sliced
peanut sauce
- 0.5 cuppeanut butter, smooth, unsweetened
- 0.5 cupcoconut milk
- 2 tbspsoy sauce
- 1 tbsplime juice
- 1 tspbrown sugar
- 1 clovegarlic, minced
- 0.5 tspchili flakes(optional)
- 0.25 cupwater
frying
- 2 tbspvegetable oil
garnish
- 2 tbspfried shallot(optional)
Equipment
ice bath · slotted spoon · large skillet · paper towels · wok · large pot · small saucepan
The method
Step by step
- 1
Begin by preparing the tofu. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
About 2 min
Cook’s note: Ensure your tofu is well-pressed to achieve a crispy texture.
- 2
Add the cubed tofu to the hot oil and fry until golden brown and crispy on all sides, about 8-10 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside on paper towels to drain excess oil.
About 10 min
Cook’s note: Don't overcrowd the pan; fry the tofu in batches if necessary.
- 3
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Blanch the green beans for 2-3 minutes until tender-crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and immediately plunge into an ice bath to stop cooking and retain color.
About 5 min
- 4
In the same boiling water, blanch the shredded cabbage for 1-2 minutes until slightly softened. Drain and cool.
About 3 min
- 5
For the peanut sauce, combine the peanut butter, coconut milk, soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, minced garlic, chili flakes (if using), and water in a small saucepan.
About 2 min
- 6
Heat the sauce over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and is smooth. Adjust consistency with more water if needed, and taste to adjust seasonings.
About 5 min
Cook’s note: The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, but still pourable.
- 7
To assemble the Gado Gado, arrange the fried tofu, blanched green beans, blanched cabbage, bean sprouts, sliced potato, and sliced cucumber on a large platter or individual plates.
About 5 min
Cook’s note: Arrange ingredients in separate piles for a visually appealing presentation.
- 8
Drizzle generously with the warm peanut sauce. Garnish with fried shallots, if desired.
About 1 min
Per serving
Nutrition
- Calories
- 491.9kcal
- Protein
- 19.5g
- Carbs
- 34.8g
- Fat
- 35.2g
- Fibre
- 8g
- Sugar
- 11.3g
Estimated from the recipe’s ingredient quantities. Values can vary with brands and substitutions.
Keep it good
Store leftover Gado Gado and peanut sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
Reheat the peanut sauce gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water to loosen if needed. The salad components are best served at room temperature or slightly warmed.
More recipes
All recipeslunch
Creamy Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese
This classic pairing features a rich, creamy tomato soup made from roasted tomatoes and aromatic vegetables. It's served alongside a perfectly golden grilled cheese sandwich, creating a comforting and satisfying meal.
1 hr 5 min 735 kcalappetizer
Queijo da Serra da Estrela with Toasted Bread
This recipe features a simple preparation of Queijo da Serra da Estrela, a traditional Portuguese sheep's milk cheese, served at its ideal creamy consistency. It's paired with lightly toasted bread, perfect for scooping up the rich, buttery cheese. This makes an elegant and satisfying appetizer.
45 minside dish
Salada Mista
This vibrant Portuguese Salada Mista is a refreshing medley of crisp romaine, juicy tomatoes, cool cucumber, and thinly sliced onion, all lightly dressed with a simple olive oil and red wine vinegar vinaigrette. Its clean, bright flavors provide a perfect counterpoint to heartier main courses, allowing the natural freshness of the produce to truly shine.
15 min 127 kcalsoup
Avgolemono Soup
This classic Greek avgolemono soup is a comforting and bright dish, perfect for any season. The combination of chicken broth, rice, and a silky lemon-egg liaison creates a uniquely rich yet tangy flavor. It's a nourishing and satisfying meal that's surprisingly easy to prepare.
45 min 175 kcalmain course
Pierogi Ruskie
These traditional Polish pierogi are filled with a savory mixture of potatoes and farmer's cheese, seasoned simply with onion and black pepper. They are a comforting and hearty vegetarian main course, perfect for a family meal.
1 hr 45 min 528 kcaldessert
Vegan Anmitsu
This refreshing Japanese dessert features agar jelly cubes, sweet adzuki bean paste, and fresh fruit, all drizzled with a rich black sugar syrup. It's a light and flavorful treat perfect for any time of year.
2 hr 55 minappetizer
Mee Krob (Crispy Noodles)
This classic Thai appetizer features delicate crispy rice vermicelli noodles coated in a vibrant sweet and sour sauce. The dish is a delightful balance of textures and flavors, with a hint of citrus brightness. It's an impressive starter for any meal.
50 min 450 kcal