Roedjak (spicy-sweet fruit salad)

Fruit salad with a spicy dressing? It may seem like a strange combination but this really works. Deliciously juicy, crunchy and refreshing, it looks splendid served in coconut halves or lettuce leaves, and you can easily use other fruit, such as mango, lychee, pear and orange.

1⁄2 pineapple

2 golden kiwifruit

1 apple

4 radishes

2 Lebanese cucumbers

1 long red chilli

2 tbsp chopped roasted peanuts Lime wedges for squeezing

2 tbsp grated palm sugar

2 tbsp ketjap manis (Indonesian sweet soy sauce)* 1 tbsp tamarind paste*

2 tsp sambal oelek (Indonesian chilli paste)* Pinch of salt

1-2 tbsp water

For the fruit salad:

Finely slice and dice the fruits and vegetables and combine in a bowl. Cut the chilli into thin rings and set aside for garnish.

Place all the dressing ingredients except the water in a bowl and whisk until the sugar has dissolved. Add 1-2 tbsp water to get the right consistency – it should be quite thick so it coats the salad.

Add the dressing to the bowl of prepared fruit and vegetables and toss gently to combine. Served topped with peanuts, chilli and lime wedges.

Serves 2-4

For the dressing: