Lontong Gelap is one of the typical dishes from Padang. This lontong is usually served with accompaniments such as opor, jackfruit vegetables, and soto. The basic ingredients are the same as lontong in general, namely rice cooked until the texture becomes soft.
The difference is the way it is cooked, where lontong gelap is processed in a pan and continuously stirred. This is the reason it is called "kacang," which means stirred or mixed. The process of making it is similar to porridge because it does not use banana leaf or plastic wrap like regular lontong .
In addition to its unique processing technique, lontong gelap is also added with betel lime. The betel lime used is a type that is safe for consumption or food grade. Its function is to make lontong gelap denser and chewier.
However, not everyone feels comfortable using betel lime in cooking. For example, a YouTube user named syare nomel feels that betel lime causes side effects in the lontong she makes. According to her, adding betel lime can affect the results of the lontong.
"Although betel lime is safe to consume within normal limits, the use of betel lime also gives a yellow color effect to the lontong," said YouTube Syare Nomel.
In one of the videos uploaded, he shared a recipe for Padang lontong gelap without using lime. Not only that, his lontong also tends to be gas efficient. He does not use a stove in cooking, but a rice cooker.
To find out the recipe for Padang lontong gelap, check out the following review that BrilioFood summarized from YouTube syare nomel on Tuesday (17/9).
Materials needed:
- 1 cup of rice, washed clean
- 5 glasses of water
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
- 1 tsp salt
 YouTube/syare nomel
1. Put the rice into the rice cooker pan, then pour in the water. If you want a denser lontong texture, use only 4 cups of water.
 YouTube/syare nomel
Add cooking oil so that the lontong doesn't stick.
 YouTube/syare nomel
Also add salt to make the lontong taste better and savory.
 YouTube/syare nomel
Close the rice cooker and press the 'cook' button.
 YouTube/syare nomel
Open the rice cooker occasionally and stir it. Do this when the water has boiled and reduced. If so, close it again and continue cooking.
 YouTube/syare nomel
When the rice cooker button changes to warm, let it sit for 30 minutes (still in a closed condition) so that the lontong is completely dry and no longer contains water.
 YouTube/syare nomel
Move the lontong into a container and press it until it is solid. Let it cool. When the lontong is cold, move it to another container. Then cut it according to taste. Even though it does not use lime, the lontong is still solid, soft, and chewy.