| 1 |
Begin by slicing the tempeh and eggplants according to your preference. For eggplants, washing them without peeling is recommended to retain their flavor. |
| 2 |
Wrap the eggs in plastic wrap to keep them clean while preparing the other ingredients. |
| 3 |
Peel the garlic, remove the stems from the large red chilies, small red chilies, and tomato. Rinse all ingredients thoroughly. |
| 4 |
Arrange the garlic, both types of chilies, and tomato in a steamer basket or your rice cooker steamer tray. Add water to the rice cooker (or use a regular steamer pot) and steam until cooked. This should take about 15–20 minutes, or until the garlic is translucent, the tempeh is fragrant, and the eggplants have turned a dark purple color. |
| 5 |
While steaming, extract coconut milk from the grated coconut and place it in a separate pot for cooking later. |
| 6 |
Wash the basil leaves and remove the stems. It’s best to only use the leaves for this recipe. |
| 7 |
Once the steaming is complete, turn off the heat and remove the steamed garlic, chilies, and tomato. Add sugar and salt, then mash everything together using a mortar and pestle (or a blender for a finer texture). You can leave it slightly coarse for added texture. |
| 8 |
Peel the boiled eggs and set them aside. Using a fork, lightly crush the tempeh (without making it too mushy). Layer the crushed tempeh, mashed spice mix, and steamed eggplants in a pot, ensuring not to turn on the stove yet. |
| 9 |
Cover the pot and turn on the heat to medium, allowing the coconut milk to come to a gentle boil. Stir occasionally, and adjust the seasoning with additional sugar and salt according to your taste. |
| 10 |
Once the sauce reaches your desired flavor profile, turn off the heat. Gently fold in the basil leaves and cover the pot for about 5 minutes to allow the basil to wilt slightly. |
| 11 |
Allow the dish to cool slightly before serving to let the flavors meld together. Serve warm and enjoy the burst of flavors that this authentic East Javanese dish brings to your palate. 😊 |
