Instructions: [I fry dehydrated onion flakes in a little oil till theyre golden brown with excellent results. S.C.]

1. Remove tofu from package and drain. Place on a plate lined with cloth or paper towels, top with another layer of towel and an inverted plate, and place a weight of a pound or more on top. Let stand 30 minutes, unwrap, and discard liquid. Cut tofu into bite-sized squares or triangles and sprinkle with kecap manis. Fry in 350 degree F. oil until golden brown and puffy; transfer to paper towels to drain.

Reserve oil to cook peanuts.

2. One at a time, blanch vegetables in lightly salted water, rinsing them in cold water to stop cooking as soon as they reach the desired degree of doneness. Cabbage and bean sprouts require only a few seconds; carrots, green beans, and potatoes may take several minutes depending on size and tenderness. Do not blanch cucumbers, watercress, and tomatoes. use them raw.

3. Place Gado-Gado Sauce in a small bowl in the center of a large platter. Arrange vegetables on platter around sauce. Garnish with wedges or slices of hard-cooked egg and fried onion flakes. To serve, spoon some sauce onto each plate and dip vegetables into sauce.

Serves 4 to 6 with other dishes.

To prepare Gado-Gado Sauce:
1. To prepare sauce in a mortar: Pound garlic, shallot, galangal, shrimp paste, and chile to a paste. To prepare sauce in a blender: Chop together in a 1-cup jar.

2. In a wok or deep skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until a peanut sizzles on contact. Fry peanuts until lightly browned; transfer to paper towels to drain. When peanuts have cooled, grind in a mortar or food processor to a coarse, grainy paste, adding a little oil if necessary to facilitate blending. (May be made up to a week ahead and stored covered in refrigerator.)

3. Remove all but 2 tablespoons oil from pan and reserve for another use. Return pan to medium-low heat and add pounded mixture. Cook until quite fragrant, but do not burn. Add peanuts, sugar, and coconut milk and bring to a boil, stirring. Simmer until thick and season to taste with salt and lime juice. Allow to coot to room temperature before serving.

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