Understanding Bulung Gadung
Bulung Gadung is one type of traditional dish that is popular in several regions in Indonesia, especially in Sulawesi and Maluku. Bulung Gadung is made from gadung leaves cooked in a special way. Gadung leaves themselves are leaves from the gadung plant (Dioscorea hispida) which have high nutritional content and are often used as traditional food ingredients. In addition, the gadung plant is also known as "ubi gadung" or "ubi jalar gadung", which has a slightly bitter taste if not processed properly.
Bulung Gadung is usually cooked in the form of vegetables or soup with the addition of other ingredients such as fish, meat, or spices. This food is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals which are very beneficial for body health. Kakek Merah
Ingredients Needed to Make Bulung Gadung
To make Bulung Gadung, here are the ingredients that are generally used:
1 bunch of fresh gadung leaves (make sure the leaves are not too old)
200 grams of tuna or other sea fish (can be replaced with chicken or beef according to taste)
2 red tomatoes, cut into pieces
1 stalk of lemongrass, crushed
3 bay leaves
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
1 liter of boiled water
1 tablespoon of oil for sauteing
Fine spices:
5 cloves of shallots
3 cloves of garlic
3 red chilies (can be increased or decreased according to taste)
1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
1 teaspoon of grated ginger
Steps to Make Bulung Gadung
Prepare Gadung Leaves
Take fresh gadung leaves and wash them clean. If you are using large gadung leaves, you can cut them into pieces first to make them easier to cook.
Note that gadung leaves have a bitter taste if not processed properly. To reduce the bitter taste, boil the gadung leaves first in boiling water for a few minutes. Then, drain and set aside.
Prepare Other Ingredients
Cut the tuna or other sea fish according to taste. You can also choose to use chicken or beef if you prefer.
Saute the ground spices consisting of shallots, garlic, red chilies, turmeric, and ginger. Saute with a little oil until fragrant and cooked.
Cook Bulung Gadung
Once the ground spices are cooked, add the fish or meat of your choice to the pan. Saute until the fish or meat is half cooked.
Add boiled water to the pan, along with lemongrass, bay leaves, salt, and granulated sugar. Let it boil for a few minutes so that the spices are absorbed into the ingredients.
Add the boiled gadung leaves. Stir well and cook until the gadung leaves are cooked and tender, about 10-15 minutes.
If necessary, adjust the taste by adding salt or sugar.
Serve Bulung Gadung
After all the ingredients are mixed well and cooked, remove and serve Bulung Gadung in a bowl. This dish can be enjoyed with warm white rice.
Tips for Processing Bulung Gadung
Reducing Bitterness: As previously mentioned, gadung leaves have a fairly strong bitter taste. To reduce the bitter taste, you can boil them first in boiling water for a few minutes, then drain the boiled water before using it in cooking.
Variations of Fish or Meat: You can replace tuna with other fish according to taste, or use chicken, beef, or goat for a variety of flavors. Make sure the fish or meat used is perfectly cooked so that the taste of Bulung Gadung is more delicious.
Serving: Bulung Gadung is perfect served with warm white rice as a side dish. You can also add shrimp paste or green chili sauce as an accompaniment to enhance the taste.
Health Benefits of Bulung Gadung
Bulung Gadung is not only delicious, but also has many health benefits, including:
Rich in Fiber: Gadung leaves contain high fiber, which is good for digestion and maintaining intestinal health.
Source of Vitamins and Minerals: Gadung leaves contain various important vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A, C, and calcium, which are beneficial for eye health, skin, and bones and teeth.
Reducing the Risk of Heart Disease: The antioxidant content in gadung leaves can help lower bad cholesterol in the body, which has a positive impact on heart health.
Conclusion
Bulung Gadung is a traditional dish that is easy to make and rich in health benefits. With natural ingredients and simple cooking methods, you can enjoy this nutritious and delicious food at home. In addition to its distinctive taste, Bulung Gadung can also be a refreshing healthy food choice that is full of Indonesian flavors. Try making Bulung Gadung at home and enjoy its deliciousness!