Sambal Ijo 3T: Terung, Telur, Tempe 🍆

Sambal Ijo, a vibrant and spicy green sambal from Indonesia, showcases the delightful combination of tempeh, eggplant, and hard-boiled eggs, all enveloped in a rich and aromatic blend of spices. This sambal not only elevates your meal but also brings a burst of flavors that are both comforting and satisfying. Below, you’ll find a detailed recipe that guides you through the process of creating this delicious dish.

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Prepare the Spice Base:
   Begin by grinding the coarse spices (green chilies, green tomatoes, green bird’s eye chilies, red chilies, shallots, and garlic) together in a mortar and pestle until you achieve a rough, textured paste. Manual grinding enhances the flavors, making your sambal truly exceptional.

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2. Sauté the Spices:
   In a pan over medium heat, sauté the ground spice mixture until it becomes fragrant. This step is crucial as it brings out the depth of the flavors.

3. Add Aromatics:
   Introduce the smashed lemongrass, bay leaves, and torn kaffir lime leaves to the pan. Allow them to cook together until aromatic, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

4. Incorporate Seasonings:
   Add the optional watered tamarind, oyster sauce, and fish sauce (if using) to the sautéed spices. Stir well and taste the mixture, adjusting the salt and sugar to achieve the desired balance of flavors.

5. Combine with Fried Ingredients:
   Once the seasoning is to your liking, add the fried tempeh, fried eggplant, and sliced hard-boiled eggs to the pan. Turn off the heat to avoid burning the ingredients while mixing.

6. Mix Thoroughly:
   Gently toss all the components together, ensuring that the tempeh, eggplant, and eggs are well-coated with the sambal. This allows the ingredients to absorb the spices evenly.

7. Finish Cooking:
   Turn the heat back on low, allowing the sambal to warm slightly while you stir gently. Let it sit for a few moments so the flavors meld beautifully.

8. Serve and Enjoy:
   Remove the sambal from heat and transfer it to a serving dish. Sambal Ijo is best enjoyed warm, alongside rice or your favorite Indonesian dishes.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Sambal Ijo 3T is a testament to the vibrant flavors of Indonesian cuisine, blending the heartiness of tempeh, the richness of eggplant, and the comfort of eggs with a spicy kick. Serve it as a side dish or as a main feature alongside steamed rice, and enjoy the explosion of flavors it brings to your table!