Kering Tempe (Crispy Tempe in Spicy Sweet Sauce)
Kering Tempe is a traditional Indonesian dish, offering a perfect balance of crispy tempe with a savory and slightly tangy sauce. This dish is often served as a snack or side dish and is enjoyed by many for its delightful texture and bold flavors. The combination of tempe, chili, and aromatic spices makes this recipe an unforgettable treat for your tastebuds.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tempe (cut into thin slices) | 600 grams (5 blocks) | Fresh tempe, sliced thinly |
| Small red chilies (Bird’s Eye) | 5 pieces | Adjust to taste, sliced thin |
| Curly red chilies | 4 pieces | Sliced thin |
| Shallots | 3 cloves | Thinly sliced |
| Garlic | 5 cloves | Thinly sliced |
| Tamarind | 4 pieces | To taste |
| Kaffir lime leaves | 2 leaves | Torn into pieces |
| Bay leaves | 1 leaf | |
| Galangal (crushed) | 1-inch piece | Crushed for aroma |
| Lemongrass | 1 stalk | Crushed and lightly grilled |
| Palm sugar | 100 grams | Adjust to taste |
| Salt | To taste | |
| Water | As needed | |
| Cooking oil | As needed | For frying tempe and sautéing |
Instructions:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Slice the tempe thinly and fry it in hot oil until it’s crispy and golden brown. Be careful not to burn it, then drain the excess oil and set aside. |
| 2 | In a separate pan, heat some oil over medium heat and sauté the small red chilies, curly red chilies, shallots, garlic, galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and bay leaves until they release their fragrant aromas. |
| 3 | Add about 100 ml of water to the pan, followed by the tamarind, palm sugar, and salt. Stir well and let it simmer until the mixture thickens, adjusting the taste by adding more sugar or salt if necessary. |
| 4 | Once the sauce has thickened to your liking, add the fried tempe and stir everything together until the tempe is evenly coated with the flavorful sauce. |
| 5 | Allow the dish to cook for a few more minutes until the sauce clings to the tempe and becomes glossy. The Kering Tempe is now ready to serve! |
Serving Suggestions:
Serve Kering Tempe as a snack on its own or as a flavorful side dish to accompany your main course. It pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or can even be enjoyed with a cold drink. The crunchy tempe combined with the spicy, sweet, and tangy sauce makes every bite an irresistible treat.
Tips:
- Adjust the spiciness: If you prefer less heat, reduce the number of chilies or remove the seeds before slicing.
- Flavor balance: Taste the sauce before adding the tempe. If it’s too sour, increase the sugar; if it’s too sweet, add a bit more salt or tamarind.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container. Kering Tempe can stay crispy for a couple of days at room temperature.
Enjoy this deliciously crispy Kering Tempe, an authentic Indonesian treat that’s sure to add excitement to your meals!
