Crispy Spicy Tempe Jeletot (Indonesian Stuffed Tempe with Sambal)

Tempe Jeletot / Tempe Jontor
This Indonesian street food delicacy is a flavorful combination of crispy tempé and spicy sambal, offering the perfect balance of heat and crunch. Often enjoyed as a snack or side dish, Tempe Jeletot is popular for its spicy filling and simple preparation.

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Prepare the Tempe:
   Begin by slicing the tempe into thin strips or wedges. Carefully split each piece down the middle, creating a small pocket in which to stuff the sambal later.

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2. Make the Sambal:
   In a food processor or mortar and pestle, blend the small chili peppers, red curly chilies, and garlic until smooth. Add a pinch of salt and powdered broth to taste. Set the sambal aside.
   In a small skillet, heat a little oil over medium heat. Sauté the sliced shallots until fragrant and golden brown. Add the sautéed shallots to the sambal mixture, stirring to combine. This brings out the savory richness of the sambal.

3. Stuff the Tempe:
   Take the prepared sambal and carefully stuff it into the slit of each tempe slice. The sambal should be packed generously, but take care not to overflow the tempe.

4. Prepare the Flour Coating:
   In a large bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, rice flour, ground coriander, and ground garlic. Add the sliced green onion and season the mixture with a pinch of salt and powdered broth. Gradually add water, stirring the batter until it reaches a smooth consistency—neither too thick nor too thin.

5. Coat and Fry the Tempe:
   Carefully dip each stuffed tempe into the flour batter, ensuring that the sambal is well-covered but not too messy. Gently fry the coated tempe in hot oil until golden brown and crispy on all sides. It should take around 3–4 minutes per batch, depending on the heat of the oil.

6. Serve:
   Once crispy, remove the tempe from the oil and drain excess oil on paper towels. Serve hot with steamed rice or enjoy as a snack on its own. You can garnish with extra fresh herbs or a squeeze of lime for added flavor.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving – Approximate)

Enjoy the spicy, savory crunch of this classic Indonesian dish! Whether you serve it at a gathering or enjoy it on a quiet afternoon, Tempe Jeletot is sure to bring a bit of heat and heart to your table.