Rica-rica

Rica-rica is an umbrella term which encompasses all the dishes that use the fiery Indonesian spice mixture. The base of this hot, sauce-like spice mixture is chili, which is then incorporated with shallots, garlic, ginger, lime leaves, lemongrass, and salt. The mixture can be made in various ways, spices can be chopped, ground, sliced, or sometimes even burned. Traditionally, the mixture is stir-fried separately in order to release all the flavors and aromas. The taste and the level of spiciness can easily be adjusted, and when it has been made, rica-rica can be used in a wide array of dishes. It is believed that this hot mixture of spices originated in Manado, an Indonesian city situated in North Sulawesi, and was first used by the native Minhasan people. The main ingredients used with rica-rica are extremely variable and include all meat, seafood, or vegetable varieties. However, the most popular is the chicken rica-rica, known in Indonesia as ayam rica- rica. Plain rice, rice crackers, or steamed vegetables are traditionally served together with all varieties of rica-rica.