Tempe Bacem Recipe
Tempe Bacem, a delicious and savory Indonesian dish, is a perfect combination of rich flavors, tender tempe, and a sweet-salty marinade. It’s a beloved street food or home-cooked dish that is both easy to prepare and incredibly satisfying. In this recipe, tempe is simmered in a fragrant spice mixture, then fried to perfection for a crispy exterior.
Ingredients
| Category | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Main Ingredient | 2 blocks of tempe (long pieces) |
| Water | 600 ml |
| Spice Paste (Bumbu Halus) | 6 shallots (bawang merah) |
| 5 garlic cloves (bawang putih) | |
| 2 cm ginger (jahe) | |
| 1 tsp tamarind (asam jawa) | |
| 1 tsp ground coriander (ketumbar bubuk) | |
| Seasonings (Bumbu Cemplung) | 3 tbsp sweet soy sauce (kecap manis) – adjust to taste for sweetness |
| 2 cm crushed galangal (lengkuas) | |
| 1 piece of palm sugar (gula merah) | |
| 1/2 tsp salt (garam) | |
| 1 tsp bouillon powder (kaldu bubuk) | |
| 1/4 tsp black pepper (lada) |
Instructions
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1. | Begin by preparing the spice paste. In a blender or mortar, blend the shallots, garlic, and ginger until smooth. |
| 2. | In a large pan, heat a bit of oil and sauté the spice paste until fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. |
| 3. | Add the seasonings (Bumbu Cemplung) to the pan: sweet soy sauce, crushed galangal, palm sugar, salt, bouillon powder, and black pepper. Stir well to combine. |
| 4. | Pour in the water and bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir everything together. |
| 5. | Add the tempe pieces into the pan, ensuring they are well coated with the seasoning mixture. Stir gently to mix. |
| 6. | Simmer the tempe in the broth until the liquid reduces and the tempe absorbs the flavors, approximately 15-20 minutes. |
| 7. | Once the liquid is reduced, remove the tempe from the pan and set aside to cool slightly. |
| 8. | In a separate frying pan, heat oil and fry the tempe pieces until golden brown and crispy on the outside. |
| 9. | Drain the fried tempe on paper towels to remove excess oil. Serve warm as a snack or alongside rice. |
Nutritional Information (per serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 250 kcal |
| Protein | 20 g |
| Carbohydrates | 10 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sodium | 700 mg |
Serving Suggestions:
Tempe Bacem can be served as a side dish with steamed rice or as a snack with sambal and fresh vegetables. Its crispy texture and rich flavors are perfect for complementing a variety of Indonesian dishes.
Tempe Bacem is an Indonesian dish full of flavor, making it a great addition to any meal. The combination of savory and slightly sweet notes with the crispy finish creates a wonderful contrast that your taste buds will love!
