Spicy Indonesian Steamed Tofu in Banana Leaves (Pepes Tahu)

Pepes Tahu (Steamed Tofu in Banana Leaves)

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Spice Paste:

   • Using a blender or mortar and pestle, grind the chopped bird’s eye chilies, red curly chilies, garlic, shallots, candlenuts, turmeric, salt, sugar, and the Masako seasoning into a smooth paste. Set this aside for later.

2. Tofu Preparation:

   • Rinse the tofu blocks thoroughly and crush them into a smooth consistency. Beat the egg lightly and add it to the mashed tofu. Mix them well and set aside.

3. Prepare the Aromatics:

   • Wash the green onions and basil leaves thoroughly. Slice the green onions into 1 cm pieces, and pluck the basil leaves from their stems.

4. Combine the Ingredients:

   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the tofu mixture, the spice paste, sliced green onions, and basil leaves. Stir everything together until well incorporated.

5. Prepare the Banana Leaves:

   • Clean the banana leaves by gently heating them over a flame to soften them and make them pliable. Cut them into manageable pieces for wrapping.

6. Wrapping the Tofu Mixture:

   • Take a piece of banana leaf, place a bay leaf and a stalk of lemongrass at the center, then spoon some tofu mixture on top. For an added kick, place a whole bird’s eye chili on top of the tofu mixture. Fold the banana leaf tightly, securing the ends with toothpicks to prevent any leakage during cooking.

7. Steaming the Pepes:

   • Arrange the wrapped tofu parcels in a steamer and steam them for about 1 hour. This process helps the flavors meld together and allows the tofu to absorb all the rich spices.

8. Grill to Finish:

   • After steaming, grill the banana leaf-wrapped tofu over medium heat for a few minutes on each side to add a smoky aroma and slightly charred flavor. Be sure to watch them carefully to avoid burning the banana leaves.

9. Serve and Enjoy:

   • Once grilled, Pepes Tahu is ready to be served. You can enjoy this dish with steamed rice or as a side dish. The combination of the fragrant herbs and spices with the soft tofu makes for a delightful culinary experience.

Pro tip: You can adjust the level of spiciness by controlling the number of chilies used or omitting the whole bird’s eye chilies if you prefer a milder dish.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving Approximate):

Enjoy the wonderful blend of herbs, spices, and tofu in this traditional Indonesian dish! Pepes Tahu is not only packed with flavor but also offers a nutritious meal perfect for vegetarians or anyone looking to explore the rich, bold flavors of Indonesian cuisine.