Sambal Goreng is an Indonesian dish featuring stir-fried vegetables and tofu in a spiced coconut sauce. A step-by-step guide on how to make Sambal Goreng:
Ingredients:
For the Sambal Paste:
- 6-8 shallots, peeled and roughly chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled
- 3-4 red chilies, deseeded (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1-2 candlenuts (substitute macadamia nuts or cashews)
- 1-inch piece of fresh galangal or ginger, peeled and sliced
- 1 lemongrass stalk, white part only, sliced
- 1 teaspoon shrimp paste (optional)
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt, to taste
For the Stir-Fry:
- 200g tofu, cut into cubes
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (e.g., long beans, cabbage, carrots, and bean sprouts)
- 1 cup thick coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Salt and sugar, to taste
- Lime wedges and fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Sambal Paste:
- In a food processor or mortar and pestle, combine all the ingredients for the sambal paste. Grind or process them into a smooth paste. If using a mortar and pestle, it may take some time to achieve the desired consistency.
2. Fry the Tofu:
- Heat vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium heat. Add the tofu cubes and fry until they turn golden brown and crisp. Remove the tofu from the pan and set it aside.
3. Make the Sambal Sauce:
- In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed. Add the sambal paste and sauté it until it becomes fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Pour in the thick coconut milk and stir well to combine it with the sambal paste.
4. Add Vegetables:
- Add the mixed vegetables to the pan and stir-fry them in the spiced coconut sauce until they are tender but still crisp.
- Return the fried tofu to the pan and mix it with the vegetables and sauce.
5. Season and Serve:
- Taste the dish and season with salt and a bit of sugar to balance the flavors.
- Serve the Sambal Goreng hot, garnished with lime wedges and fresh cilantro if desired.
Sambal Goreng is best served with steamed rice or as a side dish to complement a larger Indonesian meal. Enjoy the creamy coconut sauce and the flavorful spiced vegetables and tofu.