Tumis Tempe Kembang Bawang (Stir-Fried Tempe with Scallion Flowers)
This delightful Indonesian dish, Tumis Tempe Kembang Bawang, is a wonderful blend of fresh flavors and textures, featuring the nutty goodness of tempe, the succulent sweetness of shrimp, and the aromatic essence of scallion flowers. It’s a simple yet satisfying stir-fry that can be served as a main dish or a side for any meal. The richness of tempe combined with the savory notes of oyster sauce and a hint of sweetness from palm sugar makes this dish truly irresistible.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Scallion flowers (Kembang Bawang) | 1 bunch |
| Tempe (cubed) | 1 block |
| Fresh shrimp (peeled) | 300g (10 oz) |
| Garlic (sliced thin) | 2 cloves |
| Shallots (sliced thin) | 2 cloves |
| Bay leaf | 1 leaf |
| Galangal (sliced thin) | A small piece |
| Palm sugar (or brown sugar) | To taste |
| Salt | To taste |
| Oyster sauce | 2 tbsp |
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Ingredients:
- Thinly slice the garlic and shallots. Set them aside.
- Cube the tempe into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
- Cut the scallion flowers into approximately 2 cm lengths.
-
Stir-Fry the Aromatics:
- Heat a bit of oil in a large pan or wok over medium heat. Add the garlic and shallots to the pan, and stir-fry until they become fragrant and translucent.
- Add the galangal slices, bay leaf, and palm sugar to the pan, continuing to stir-fry until the sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes aromatic.
-
Cook the Shrimp:
- Once the aromatics have melded together, add the fresh shrimp to the pan. Stir-fry the shrimp until they turn pink and opaque. Season with a little salt to taste.
-
Add the Tempe:
- Next, add the cubed tempe to the pan, stirring to combine with the shrimp and aromatics. Cook for a few minutes until the tempe begins to get slightly crispy.
-
Incorporate the Scallion Flowers:
- Add the scallion flowers to the pan and toss everything together gently. Stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the scallions to wilt slightly but remain vibrant.
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Flavor with Oyster Sauce:
- Pour in the oyster sauce, and stir everything to coat well. Adjust seasoning with a pinch of salt or more palm sugar as needed to balance the savory and sweet notes.
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Final Touch and Serve:
- Once the ingredients are fully combined and cooked through, remove the pan from heat. Serve the dish with love and enjoy!
Tips:
- For a deeper flavor, you can let the tempe brown slightly in the pan before adding the shrimp.
- You can substitute the shrimp with chicken or tofu for a different variation.
- Serve this dish with steamed rice for a complete meal.
