What do you think?
Rate this book
Coconut & Sambal: Recipes from my Indonesian Kitchen
Be transported to the bountiful islands of Indonesia by this collection of fragrant, colorful and mouth-watering recipes.
"Tells the story of the food, both through memories and evocative explanations, as it introduces us to the flavours and feel of the Indonesian kitchen, and explains not only how to cook the food, but how to eat it. It’s impossible to read it without being both inspired and very hungry!"—Nigella Lawson
"Start with Lara’s fragrant chicken soup, do lots of exploring on the way whilst dousing everything with spoonfuls of sambal, and end with her coconut and pandan sponge cake." —Yotam Ottolenghi
Coconut & Sambal reveals the secrets behind authentic Indonesian cookery. With more than 80 traditional and vibrant recipes that have been passed down through the generations, you will discover dishes such as Nasi goreng, Beef rendang, Chilli prawn satay and Pandan cake, alongside a variety of recipes for sambals: fragrant, spicy relishes that are undoubtedly the heart and soul of every meal.
Lara Lee uses simple techniques and easily accessible ingredients throughout Coconut and Sambal, interweaving the recipes with beguiling tales of island life and gorgeous travel photography that shines a light on the magnificent, little-known cuisine of Indonesia.
What are you waiting for? Travel the beautiful islands of Indonesia and taste the different regions through these recipes.
"Tells the story of the food, both through memories and evocative explanations, as it introduces us to the flavours and feel of the Indonesian kitchen, and explains not only how to cook the food, but how to eat it. It’s impossible to read it without being both inspired and very hungry!"—Nigella Lawson
"Start with Lara’s fragrant chicken soup, do lots of exploring on the way whilst dousing everything with spoonfuls of sambal, and end with her coconut and pandan sponge cake." —Yotam Ottolenghi
Coconut & Sambal reveals the secrets behind authentic Indonesian cookery. With more than 80 traditional and vibrant recipes that have been passed down through the generations, you will discover dishes such as Nasi goreng, Beef rendang, Chilli prawn satay and Pandan cake, alongside a variety of recipes for sambals: fragrant, spicy relishes that are undoubtedly the heart and soul of every meal.
Lara Lee uses simple techniques and easily accessible ingredients throughout Coconut and Sambal, interweaving the recipes with beguiling tales of island life and gorgeous travel photography that shines a light on the magnificent, little-known cuisine of Indonesia.
What are you waiting for? Travel the beautiful islands of Indonesia and taste the different regions through these recipes.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published October 13, 2020
105 people are currently reading
1017 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 23, 2021
Have a listen to Two Book Nerds Talking’s interview with Lara Lee here: https://www.spreaker.com/user/renegad...
May 15, 2023
I am desperate to find some real Indo food, but I fear it is close to impossible to replicate the street food from the kaki limas and the meals I would grab from the warungs here in the US. I grabbed this book- in the hopes I could break some codes, but the book seemed too tidy to make it happen.
The author is Australian- her father is Indonesian, but she didn't go to Indo until she was an adult. I was already a bit concerned. I wanted a book written by an Ibu who grew up helping in the kitchen, bartering at the pasars and tasting midnight martabak on her way home from temple. This was not the case. While the author explored the country and took notes- and found an Indonesian woman in London to help her discover recipes....she was definitely a bule. Not what I was looking for- and I am a tad disappointed. I was also surprised by some of the generalizations she made while explaining the cuisine of the country....and suspicious that she didn't really get to know the food. No mention that the Balinese (Hindu) don't eat beef...to start. The sambal mata looks nothing like what you would find there (though it has a lot of the ingredients).... I will definitely make a couple of her recipes, but this food is more "inspired by"....and I hate to say it....but a lot of the ingredients will be hard to find here because this is the US- or her "adaptations" make me...side eye her taste buds. I am not sure it is possible to make a real Indo cookbook- this is a country of over 13,000 islands. Each island has its own style/cuisine....delicacies- and a lot of the ingredients cannot be found anywhere else....but I will continue to hope....and save so that I can return to Indo for nasi kuning, nasi campur, ayam betutu, bubur ayam....etc.
Read if you would like to see how this part of the world's cuisine is different from your own....
The author is Australian- her father is Indonesian, but she didn't go to Indo until she was an adult. I was already a bit concerned. I wanted a book written by an Ibu who grew up helping in the kitchen, bartering at the pasars and tasting midnight martabak on her way home from temple. This was not the case. While the author explored the country and took notes- and found an Indonesian woman in London to help her discover recipes....she was definitely a bule. Not what I was looking for- and I am a tad disappointed. I was also surprised by some of the generalizations she made while explaining the cuisine of the country....and suspicious that she didn't really get to know the food. No mention that the Balinese (Hindu) don't eat beef...to start. The sambal mata looks nothing like what you would find there (though it has a lot of the ingredients).... I will definitely make a couple of her recipes, but this food is more "inspired by"....and I hate to say it....but a lot of the ingredients will be hard to find here because this is the US- or her "adaptations" make me...side eye her taste buds. I am not sure it is possible to make a real Indo cookbook- this is a country of over 13,000 islands. Each island has its own style/cuisine....delicacies- and a lot of the ingredients cannot be found anywhere else....but I will continue to hope....and save so that I can return to Indo for nasi kuning, nasi campur, ayam betutu, bubur ayam....etc.
Read if you would like to see how this part of the world's cuisine is different from your own....
March 3, 2022
I thought this cookbook was well written and well photographed. I learned so much about the Indonesian culture, the traditional ways of preparing meals, and the foods that are eaten. I’m excited to give many of the recipes a try; she provides many alternatives to her recipes, such as vegetarian or vegan options. I will probably add this one to my cookbook shelf!
August 31, 2022
Enjoyed reading this cookbook and the recipes! Soto ayam will be a staple this winter!
January 21, 2021
This book is reeeeally good...I love Indonesian food but I’ve only eaten it in restaurants, so it was super fun to try it at home. I made the whole roast chili coconut chicken with crispy soy ginger potatoes. The chicken was tasty but the potatoes were the true stars...yum. Have the congee, nasi goreng, and some of the desserts bookmarked too. If I had more space for books I’d definitely consider purchasing!
Oh, only one possible problem: only metric measurements so I did have to do some conversions, but not a huge deal.
Oh, only one possible problem: only metric measurements so I did have to do some conversions, but not a huge deal.
July 13, 2025
My 2025 Cookbook Trials - logging these in Goodreads to keep track of my cooking adventures this year. My new year's resolution for 2025 was to try more recipes - at least one new one per month. To aid in this endeavour, I'm once again signing out cookbooks from the public library.
Another recommendation from Cult Flav where they really highlighted the flavours and accessibility of the recipes. It also enticed me to look into Indonesian cuisine and Indonesia itself which are so unknown to me. Only within this past month did I learn that Indonesia is the largest country made only of islands (and a staggering number of islands too!) and hear a brief description of the Dutch invasion, complex history of civil conflicts and why Bali is such a tourist destination but the rest of the country is not... Indonesia has become a place I definitely want to visit in my lifetime.
Now onto the cookbook... There are so many intriguing flavour combinations here and the ingredients are readily available (at least where I live). I've only tried one recipe so far (as of July 2025), but recently I saw this cookbook on sale at my local Indigo for only $10 - so I bought it! I usually only buy cookbooks that I already know I love (ie. tried multiple recipes and they are all hits), but for $10 - I will now have lots of time to keep testing things out, plus I've flagged so many recipes already. If in the end, I don't love it - this is an easy book to donate to the library or secondhand book store.
RECIPES TRIED:
1) Stir-Fried Sumba Chicken / Manu Paokula - In hindsight, I should not have started with a recipe that had no pictures and that I had never even seen before. Plus the inclusion of both kale and artichoke (L. dislikes both) and the number of chilis (14 in total!), I was quite nervous going in. Luckily the instructions were approachable and in the end, it turned out quite well! I subbed the 8 red chilis in stirfry for 2 jalapenos - but the heat was manageable, so in the future I should add more or stick with the recipe properly (I just did not have enough long red chilis). L. actually complimented the inclusion of artichokes on the first night and said they added something interesting to the flavours! However, he did not like the artichokes when eating leftovers - the flavours had melded more and overall lost a bit of heat (I liked the dish better after a day or two while L. was the opposite).
For future note: This might be a good recipe to freeze half as L. did not want to have it for more than two days.
RECIPES STILL TO TRY: so many...
2) Peanut and Kaffir Lime Kerupuk - I do not like frying things at home, but the way Cult Flav raved about this one, I might have to rethink my hesitancy!
3) Lamb & Potato Croquettes - There's a variation here for pan-frying!
4) Aromatic Chicken Noodle Soto / Soto Ayam - Like a more flavourful chicken noodle!
5) Chicken Nasi Goreng / Nasi Goreng Ayam - I love fried rice, this one is a no-brainer.
6) Chicken Satay with peanut sauce / Sate Ayam Madura - Going to save this for a barbecuing day!
7) Spiced Balinese Roast Chicken / Ayam Betutu
8) Beef Rendang / Rendang Daging - This one presumably will take some time, and also the procurement of fresh galangal and fresh tumeric!
9) Crispy Soy and Ginger Roast Potatoes - Another item raved by Cult Flav for the least amount of effort for most amount of taste!
I'm so excited to keep cooking from this book!
Another recommendation from Cult Flav where they really highlighted the flavours and accessibility of the recipes. It also enticed me to look into Indonesian cuisine and Indonesia itself which are so unknown to me. Only within this past month did I learn that Indonesia is the largest country made only of islands (and a staggering number of islands too!) and hear a brief description of the Dutch invasion, complex history of civil conflicts and why Bali is such a tourist destination but the rest of the country is not... Indonesia has become a place I definitely want to visit in my lifetime.
Now onto the cookbook... There are so many intriguing flavour combinations here and the ingredients are readily available (at least where I live). I've only tried one recipe so far (as of July 2025), but recently I saw this cookbook on sale at my local Indigo for only $10 - so I bought it! I usually only buy cookbooks that I already know I love (ie. tried multiple recipes and they are all hits), but for $10 - I will now have lots of time to keep testing things out, plus I've flagged so many recipes already. If in the end, I don't love it - this is an easy book to donate to the library or secondhand book store.
RECIPES TRIED:
1) Stir-Fried Sumba Chicken / Manu Paokula - In hindsight, I should not have started with a recipe that had no pictures and that I had never even seen before. Plus the inclusion of both kale and artichoke (L. dislikes both) and the number of chilis (14 in total!), I was quite nervous going in. Luckily the instructions were approachable and in the end, it turned out quite well! I subbed the 8 red chilis in stirfry for 2 jalapenos - but the heat was manageable, so in the future I should add more or stick with the recipe properly (I just did not have enough long red chilis). L. actually complimented the inclusion of artichokes on the first night and said they added something interesting to the flavours! However, he did not like the artichokes when eating leftovers - the flavours had melded more and overall lost a bit of heat (I liked the dish better after a day or two while L. was the opposite).
For future note: This might be a good recipe to freeze half as L. did not want to have it for more than two days.
RECIPES STILL TO TRY: so many...
2) Peanut and Kaffir Lime Kerupuk - I do not like frying things at home, but the way Cult Flav raved about this one, I might have to rethink my hesitancy!
3) Lamb & Potato Croquettes - There's a variation here for pan-frying!
4) Aromatic Chicken Noodle Soto / Soto Ayam - Like a more flavourful chicken noodle!
5) Chicken Nasi Goreng / Nasi Goreng Ayam - I love fried rice, this one is a no-brainer.
6) Chicken Satay with peanut sauce / Sate Ayam Madura - Going to save this for a barbecuing day!
7) Spiced Balinese Roast Chicken / Ayam Betutu
8) Beef Rendang / Rendang Daging - This one presumably will take some time, and also the procurement of fresh galangal and fresh tumeric!
9) Crispy Soy and Ginger Roast Potatoes - Another item raved by Cult Flav for the least amount of effort for most amount of taste!
I'm so excited to keep cooking from this book!
November 1, 2025
Coconut & Sambal: Recipes from my Indonesian Kitchen by Lara Lee
Rating: 5/5 Stars
As someone with zero prior experience in Indonesian cuisine, picking up Coconut & Sambal was an absolute joy, and I am so glad I did! This book isn't just a collection of recipes; it's a beautiful invitation into the culture and history behind the food.
I’ve only worked my way through two recipes so far, but the results have been wonderfully tasty, and I plan to make many more.
First off, the presentation of this book is simply gorgeous. The photography is vibrant and inspiring, making every single dish look irresistible. What truly sets this book apart, however, is the storytelling. The personal anecdotes and cultural context provided at the beginning of each chapter and accompanying most recipes are fascinating. They convey exactly what makes each dish special, giving the food a deep sense of place and heritage.
Lara Lee has done a fantastic job laying out the recipes—they are clear, easy to follow, and the book is thoughtfully organized. She also helpfully offers alternatives for more difficult-to-find items. Despite this, living in Winnipeg, I still found it challenging to source a few highly specific ingredients, even after checking out a couple of large Asian markets. This is less a criticism of the book and more a reality of cooking specialized cuisine in a location with limited supply, but it’s something to be aware of.
Overall, I can't recommend Coconut & Sambal enough. It’s a warm, accessible, and delicious entry point into Indonesian home cooking, and I'm already looking forward to my next trip to the kitchen with this book in hand!
Rating: 5/5 Stars
As someone with zero prior experience in Indonesian cuisine, picking up Coconut & Sambal was an absolute joy, and I am so glad I did! This book isn't just a collection of recipes; it's a beautiful invitation into the culture and history behind the food.
I’ve only worked my way through two recipes so far, but the results have been wonderfully tasty, and I plan to make many more.
First off, the presentation of this book is simply gorgeous. The photography is vibrant and inspiring, making every single dish look irresistible. What truly sets this book apart, however, is the storytelling. The personal anecdotes and cultural context provided at the beginning of each chapter and accompanying most recipes are fascinating. They convey exactly what makes each dish special, giving the food a deep sense of place and heritage.
Lara Lee has done a fantastic job laying out the recipes—they are clear, easy to follow, and the book is thoughtfully organized. She also helpfully offers alternatives for more difficult-to-find items. Despite this, living in Winnipeg, I still found it challenging to source a few highly specific ingredients, even after checking out a couple of large Asian markets. This is less a criticism of the book and more a reality of cooking specialized cuisine in a location with limited supply, but it’s something to be aware of.
Overall, I can't recommend Coconut & Sambal enough. It’s a warm, accessible, and delicious entry point into Indonesian home cooking, and I'm already looking forward to my next trip to the kitchen with this book in hand!
March 25, 2021
Lara Lee has made a cookbook that acts as a culture guide that doesn't cut corners. It still manages to be accessible, diverse, and approachable by choosing recipes that have a good overlap with the "global kitchen". If you are looking to put new flavors into your life and love spice make sure and pick this up. My menu for this cookbook
app Martabak pg 37
soup Modenese Prawn Bisque pg 63 salad Balinese Coconut Lawar pg 94 Balinese Sticky Glazed Pork Ribs pg 176 Sticky ginger toffee pudding pg 237" -- Hanz
app Martabak pg 37
soup Modenese Prawn Bisque pg 63 salad Balinese Coconut Lawar pg 94 Balinese Sticky Glazed Pork Ribs pg 176 Sticky ginger toffee pudding pg 237" -- Hanz
November 14, 2021
This was such a lovely book to read. Full of great recipes and interesting information. I ate lots of Indonesian and Indo-Dutch food when I lived in the Netherlands but I haven’t found an Indonesian restaurant since moving back to the states. Now I have some solid recipes for making my own.
Something I also liked about this book is for many of the meat based dishes she offers up a vegetarian or vegan alternative. And the alternatives are good alternatives not just slap-dashed options. Genuinely recommend. And the cover is beautiful. Will look good on a book shelf too.
Something I also liked about this book is for many of the meat based dishes she offers up a vegetarian or vegan alternative. And the alternatives are good alternatives not just slap-dashed options. Genuinely recommend. And the cover is beautiful. Will look good on a book shelf too.
January 11, 2023
This book hits the spot. Without much background knowledge, this book does a great job highlighting the most important qualities of Indonesian food (of which there is still much more diversity) which is highlighted through its recipes. I think approaching this book & recipes requires good planning, especially if you're not familiar with sourcing ingredients, but wow I'm just blown away with the flavors.
My only main gripe is that sometimes instructions are unclear, but they don't really affect the end result.
My only main gripe is that sometimes instructions are unclear, but they don't really affect the end result.
December 13, 2020
I know I love a book when 1. it has oil and water marks all over it, and 2. I only open it to make new recipes because I know the others I have been making off my heart.
I had never ventured to Indonesian food before this book, but I am so glad I did and I am. So flavoursome, interesting and comforting- the story is in the samba, the mix and balance of spices and herbs. I love this book and I can't want to see what Lara Lee does next.
I had never ventured to Indonesian food before this book, but I am so glad I did and I am. So flavoursome, interesting and comforting- the story is in the samba, the mix and balance of spices and herbs. I love this book and I can't want to see what Lara Lee does next.
November 22, 2020
One of my favorite cookbooks from this year. With a wide range of dishes from the simplest coconut rice to the most delicious roasted chili chicken and nasi goreng. A wonderful introduction to Indonsesian cuisine and some great sides if you’re looking for some great flavors for the holiday season. Complete with pantry overviews and a wide range of sample menus - this is an absolute gem!
March 23, 2021
I read this as an ebook and the formatting seemed odd to me with little white space and recipes running from one directly into the next. The recipes seem straightforward, although some of the ingredients will require effort to track down, especially the chillies, since in the US, green chilies seem more available in produce sections.
January 28, 2024
My go-to book when I'm craving for a taste of home. Curing my homesickness since I bought this book. Such a heart-warming background intro too, as an immigrant I can relate to it in a different context. Truly amazing how food can tell you a lot of stories. Makes me want to hug my long distance loved ones!
October 14, 2020
All the dishes I made out of this cookbook (Babi Guling, Chili Coconut Chicken, Balinese Roast Chicken) have been great so far. So flavorful and easy to put together, easy enough for regular weeknight dinners. Looking forward to cooking my way through the rest of the cookbook.
October 26, 2021
Gorgeously photographed, well written, with a ton of insights into the beautiful food and culture of Indonesia. This book is also quite practical. Haven't made any of the recipes yet but they are accessible and sound like things that would be doable for a home cook.
February 7, 2023
Everything about this guide is a home cook friendly treatment of a vast array of cuisines in Indonesia. The author’s journey’s and lessons shared with the reader are heartwarming and concise. A terrific read even for a cook experienced in Indonesian delights.
meh-cookbooks
February 14, 2021FYI for US market - UK publishing only so no adjustments made for terminology.
March 2, 2021
This was so good, I've only made a couple of the recipes - but the Timorese Fish Soup is so good.
March 7, 2021
Wonderful photos enhance this Indonesian cookbook. I made the vegetable fried noodles and it was very tasty and something I will add to my cooking rotation.
May 3, 2021
Beautiful cookbook featuring a variety of recipes from Indonesia! Gorgeous photography, fresh ingredients, and delicious recipes!
September 19, 2021
such a beautiful book of recipes - although one of those cook books that inspires me to get on a plane more than in the kitchen
October 17, 2021
Amazing cookbook! I have made a couple of recipes and they turned out wonderfully. Probably the highest ratio of recipes to things I bookmark that I have ever experienced with a cookbook.
December 31, 2021
Simply one of the best cookbooks that I've read in my entire life. Brilliant and beautiful pictures, astonishing book design, and authentic Indonesian recipes.
5/5
5/5
November 8, 2022
Lots of amazing vegetarian recipes!
Want to read
June 25, 2023As heard on The Splendid Table:
https://play.podtrac.com/APM-Splendid...
https://play.podtrac.com/APM-Splendid...
September 28, 2023
Indonesian cooking encompasses so many cultures and flavors it is hard to find definitive foods and recipes but this book does a pretty good job. Has a large section on sauces which is appreciated.
February 4, 2024
Brb, soto ayam seems good rn 🤤
June 7, 2023
Reading this book felt like I took a trip to the edge of the world and found welcoming, hospitable, people there with amazingly, delicious food.
November 2, 2022
Another one of the triumvirate of Indonesian cookbooks that have just floored me with their recipes, presentations, and stories. I have only begun to make some of the foods of this cookbook and my family is clamoring for more.
I now own this book to complement “Fire Islands” and “Paon” in brining Indonesian cuisine to my home.
I now own this book to complement “Fire Islands” and “Paon” in brining Indonesian cuisine to my home.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews