Orek Tempe Recipe
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Tempeh, cut into small cubes | 1 block |
| Shallots, thinly sliced | 8 cloves |
| Garlic, thinly sliced | 5 cloves |
| Red curly chilies, finely sliced | 2 chilies |
| Bird’s eye chilies, finely sliced | 3 chilies (adjust to taste) |
| Bay leaves | 2 leaves |
| Galangal, crushed | 3 cm piece |
| Palm sugar (gula merah) | 3 tablespoons |
| Sweet soy sauce (kecap manis) | To taste |
| Tamarind water | 1 tablespoon (optional) |
| Chicken stock powder (optional) | 1 teaspoon |
| Salt | To taste |
| Sugar | To taste |
| Pepper | To taste |
| Water | 100-120 ml |
Instructions
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Prepare the Aromatics: Heat a little oil in a pan and sauté the shallots, garlic, red chilies, bird’s eye chilies, bay leaves, and galangal until fragrant and softened.
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Add the Sweetness: Add the palm sugar to the pan, stirring continuously until it dissolves completely. Once dissolved, pour in the tamarind water (if using), and stir well to combine.
-
Add Sweet Soy Sauce: Pour the sweet soy sauce into the pan and allow it to cook for a moment until it becomes fragrant. Stir occasionally to avoid sticking or burning.
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Mix in the Tempeh: Add the fried tempeh cubes to the pan. Stir gently to coat the tempeh evenly with the sauce. Gradually add water in small amounts (don’t pour it all at once) to help blend the flavors without making the dish too wet.
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Season to Taste: Season the dish with salt, sugar, pepper, and chicken stock powder (if using). Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. If the flavor needs more depth, add a little more sweet soy sauce.
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Final Stir and Serve: Once the seasoning is balanced, turn off the heat. Give the dish one last gentle stir to make sure the tempeh is evenly coated with the sauce. Remove from heat and serve.
Pro Tips
- Adjust the level of chilies to your preferred heat level. For a spicier version, you can add more bird’s eye chilies.
- Tamarind water adds a subtle tangy twist to the dish, but you can skip it if you prefer a sweeter flavor.
- Fried tempeh adds a crispy texture to the dish, but make sure not to overcook it to maintain that texture.
This simple yet flavorful Orek Tempe is perfect as a side dish or paired with rice for a wholesome meal!
