Fern Tips or Asparagus in Coconut Gravy

Name: Fern Tips or Asparagus in Coconut Gravy (Gulai Daun Pakis)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: Serves 4 to 6
Cuisine: Indonesian
Ingredients: ½ in (1 cm) fresh turmeric, peeled and sliced, or ½ teaspoon ground turmeric; 2 cups (500 ml) thin coconut milk; 2 cloves garlic, peeled; 1 tablespoon tamarind juice; 3 shallots, peeled; 1 lb (500 g) fresh fern tips (fiddleheads) or young asparagus, washed; 2–3 red finger-length chilies, deseeded; 2 salam leaves (optional); ½ teaspoon salt; 1 in (2½ cm) fresh ginger, peeled and sliced; 1 in (2½ cm) fresh galangal, peeled and sliced

Gulai Daun Pakis

Preparation info

Serves
4 to 6

Difficulty
Easy
Ready in
40 min

Appears in

The Food of Indonesia

By Heinz Von Holzen

Published 2015

About

The young tips of several varieties of wild ferns are enjoyed in many parts of Indonesia. They are sold in wet markets throughout Southeast Asia and have an excellent flavor. Young asparagus or spinach make excellent substitutes.

Ingredients

2 cups (500 ml) thin coconut milk
1 lb (500

Asia
Indonesia
Side dish
Gluten-free
Vegan
South East Asia
Southeast Asia

Method

Make the Spice Paste by grinding all the ingredients to a smooth paste in a mortar or blender, adding a little coconut milk if necessary to keep the mixture turning.
Bring the Spice Paste and coconut milk to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer uncovered for 2 minutes. Add the fern tips or asparagus, salam leaves and tamarind juice,