Mendhol Tempe Recipe
Mendhol Tempe is a unique and savory Indonesian dish, featuring tempe (fermented soybeans) as the star ingredient, paired with aromatic spices and fried to perfection. This dish is perfect as a snack, appetizer, or even a main course when served with rice. Let’s dive into the preparation of this delightful dish!
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tempe (semi-fermented, sliced & steamed) | 1 block (approximately 200g) |
| Kencur (aromatic root) | 1 thumb-sized piece |
| Shallots (bawang merah) | 3 cloves |
| Garlic (bawang putih) | 2 cloves |
| Bird’s eye chilies (cabe rawit) | 5 pieces |
| Red chili (cabe merah) | 2 pieces (roughly chopped) |
| Palm sugar | To taste |
| Salt | To taste |
| Chicken bouillon powder (kaldu bubuk) | To taste |
| Lime leaves (daun jeruk) | 4 leaves (finely chopped) |
| Wheat flour (tepung terigu) | 2 tablespoons |
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Tempe:
Start by cutting the tempe into small pieces. Steam the tempe until soft. Once done, set aside to cool slightly. -
Grind the Spices:
In a mortar or food processor, grind the shallots, garlic, red chilies, bird’s eye chilies, kencur, sugar, salt, and chicken bouillon powder into a fine paste. Add half of the finely chopped lime leaves to this mixture and blend them in. -
Combine Tempe and Spices:
In a large bowl, crumble the steamed tempe into small pieces. Add the ground spice mixture, the remaining chopped lime leaves, and wheat flour. Mix thoroughly until well combined. If the mixture is too dry to form, add a small amount of water to reach the desired consistency. -
Shape the Mendhol Tempe:
Take small portions of the mixture and shape them into your preferred form. You can make them round, oval, or even flat, depending on your preference. -
Fry the Mendhol Tempe:
Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Carefully place the formed tempe into the hot oil, frying until golden brown and crispy on all sides. This will take around 3-5 minutes per batch. -
Serve:
Once fried, remove the Mendhol Tempe from the oil and drain on paper towels. Serve hot and enjoy your crunchy, savory Mendhol Tempe with a side of rice or as a standalone snack.
Enjoy Your Mendhol Tempe!
This dish brings out the natural flavors of tempe combined with the rich, spicy kick of the aromatic ingredients. It’s easy to prepare, yet packed with flavor—a perfect snack for any occasion!
