Balinese Cooking Basics
Base Genep
The traditional Balinese spice paste behind many of the dishes we cook at Oemah Tepi Sawah.
A Foundation of Balinese Cooking
What Is Base Genep?
Base Genep is a basic Balinese spice paste used in many traditional Balinese dishes.
The exact ingredients and proportions can vary depending on the area, family tradition or restaurant.
Below is the proportion we use here at Oemah Tepi Sawah.
For local consumption, chilli is often added to Base Genep. We do not add chilli to this version.
Our Proportions
Ingredients
About chilli: Chilli is commonly added when Base Genep is prepared for local Balinese cooking. Our version does not include chilli.
Step by Step
How to Make Raw Base Genep
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1
Chop all the ingredients, except the bay leaves.
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2
Put the chopped ingredients into a blender and add a little water.
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3
Blend until smooth.
At this stage, the Base Genep can be used directly in many Balinese dishes.
Preparing Ahead
Making Base Genep for Later
If you want to prepare a larger batch and keep it for later, it is better to cook the Base Genep first.
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1
Heat a small amount of oil in a pan.
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2
Add the blended Base Genep and the bay leaves.
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3
Add salt.
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4
Cook until most of the water has evaporated and the spice paste becomes fragrant.
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5
Let the Base Genep cool completely.
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6
Transfer it to a clean, sealed container and store it in the refrigerator.
Cooked Base Genep can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 7 days .
Balinese Cooking
Using Bay Leaves
Bay leaves are widely used in Balinese cooking to add aroma and flavour to dishes. We use them in almost all Balinese dishes.
When Base Genep is used raw, such as when making Soto Ayam , we add bay leaves separately while cooking the soup.
This gives the soup its distinctive aroma and flavour.
Base Genep can therefore be used either raw or cooked first, depending on the dish and cooking method.
From Our Kitchen
Recipes Using Base Genep
Before Choosing Your Recipes
Food Allergies & Dietary Restrictions
When choosing your meal and dessert recipes, please check the ingredients carefully and let us know if you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions. This will help us make sure the recipes you choose are suitable for you.
Cook With Us in Bali
Discover Balinese Home Cooking
Join our evening cooking class at Oemah Tepi Sawah and learn how Base Genep becomes part of traditional Balinese dishes.
Discover Our Cooking Class