Sate Lilit

Sate lilit is a Balinese satay whose name refers to wrapping the meat mixture around its skewer. Marvellina’s version uses minced duck, grated unsweetened coconut and Indonesian palm sugar, with a ground spice mixture and a separate sweet-soy chilli sauce.

Shallots, garlic, fresh galangal, kencur and turmeric process with coriander seed, shrimp paste, lime leaves, lemongrass, cloves and nutmeg, using a little water to help blending. Candlenuts and Thai red chillies can also go into the paste. The mixture sautés in oil, then cools completely.

The cooled paste mixes with the minced duck, coconut, palm sugar and salt. Lemongrass stalks are cut in half, and portions of the meat mixture wrap around them to form the satay.

For this grilled version, the satay is brushed with more oil and cooks until golden brown on all sides. Chopped red chilli, sweet soy sauce and fried shallot crisps mix into the sauce served alongside it.

Coconut runs through the minced meat, while the aromatic paste gives each portion a mixture of fresh roots, leaves and dry spices. The lemongrass skewers are part of the recipe’s presentation, and the separate chilli sauce adds a sweet, spicy finish at the table.