Tempe Isi Sambel: A Flavorful Indonesian Delight
Ingredients:
| Main Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Tempe (fermented soybean cake) | 1 small block (papan kecil) |
| Chicken crispy flour mix | 1 small pack (bungkus kecil) |
| Water | A small amount (sedikit air matang) |
For the Sambel (spicy sauce):
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Red onions (Bawang merah) | 4 cloves (siung) |
| Garlic (Bawang putih) | 2 cloves (siung) |
| Bird’s eye chilies (Cabe rawit) | As desired (sesuai selera) |
| Tomato (Tomat) | 1 fruit (buah) |
| Sweet basil (Kemangi) | A few leaves (skip if preferred) |
| Salt (Garam) | To taste (secukupnya) |
| Seasoning (Penyedap) | To taste (secukupnya) |
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Sambel:
- Begin by grinding the red onions, garlic, and bird’s eye chilies coarsely using a mortar and pestle or blender, leaving the sweet basil out. This will create a rough texture for the sambel.
- Heat a small amount of oil in a pan and briefly sauté the sambel mixture. Once it’s fragrant, add the sweet basil and continue to stir for a few more seconds. Set aside the sambel mixture for later use.
-
Prepare the Tempe:
- Slice the tempe into thin pieces, cutting halfway through each piece without completely separating them. This will create a pocket in the middle of each slice.
- Stuff the sliced tempe with the sambel mixture you prepared earlier, ensuring the filling is evenly distributed inside each piece.
-
Prepare the Coating:
- Mix the crispy chicken flour with a small amount of water, creating a thick batter. This batter will coat the tempe for frying.
-
Fry the Tempe:
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, dip each stuffed tempe into the batter, coating it thoroughly.
- Fry the coated tempe in the oil, turning them occasionally until they turn golden and crispy.
-
Serve:
- Once the tempe is golden brown and crispy, remove them from the oil and drain excess oil on a paper towel.
- Serve your Tempe Isi Sambel while still warm, paired with steamed rice or as a tasty snack.
Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 180-250 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 20-25 g |
| Protein | 12-15 g |
| Fat | 8-12 g |
| Fiber | 4-5 g |
| Sodium | 300-400 mg |
Tips for Serving:
- Tempe Isi Sambel is perfect when served with a side of steamed jasmine rice or as a filling addition to a lunchbox.
- Adjust the spiciness by adding more or fewer bird’s eye chilies to the sambel.
- If you prefer a lighter version, you can pan-fry the tempe instead of deep-frying it for a healthier alternative.
