Indonesian Spicy Tofu in Savory Oyster Sauce

Tahu Saos Padang: A Flavorful Indonesian Delight

Tahu Saos Padang is a vibrant and mouthwatering Indonesian dish that features tofu simmered in a rich, spicy sauce. This recipe combines fragrant herbs and spices with savory oyster sauce and sambal, creating a tantalizing blend that will captivate your taste buds. Here’s how you can bring this delicious dish to your table.

Ingredients:

• 1 large white tofu block
• 5 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 3 tablespoons sambal sauce
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• Water, as needed
• 1 stalk green onion, sliced diagonally
• Salt and sugar, to taste
• 5 kaffir lime leaves
• For the spice paste:
  • 7 shallots
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 6 red chilies (curly)
  • 8 red bird’s eye chilies
  • 1 tomato
  • 2 pieces ginger (about 2 inches each)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Tofu:
   Begin by thoroughly washing the tofu. Cut it into elongated pieces to ensure even cooking. Heat oil in a frying pan and fry the tofu pieces until they are half-cooked. Remove the tofu from the pan and set it aside.

2. Make the Spice Paste:
   Using a blender or food processor, blend the shallots, garlic, red chilies, bird’s eye chilies, tomato, and ginger into a smooth paste.

3. Cook the Spice Paste:
   In the same pan used for frying the tofu, sauté the spice paste until it becomes fragrant and begins to darken slightly.

4. Add Sauces and Seasonings:
   To the spice paste, add the oyster sauce, sambal sauce, black pepper, salt, sugar, and kaffir lime leaves. Stir well to combine all the flavors.

5. Simmer the Tofu:
   Pour in enough water to create a sauce, and bring it to a simmer. Add the fried tofu pieces to the pan and stir to ensure they are well coated with the sauce. Allow the mixture to cook for a few minutes so that the tofu absorbs the flavors.

6. Finish with Green Onions:
   Add the sliced green onions to the pan and give everything a final stir. Let it cook for another minute or so, then taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

7. Serve:
   Transfer the Tahu Saos Padang to a serving dish and enjoy it hot. This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or can be served as part of a larger Indonesian meal spread.

Enjoy this delightful recipe, which brings the authentic taste of Indonesian cuisine right into your kitchen!