Spicy Sambal Goreng Tempe Gembus with Krecek & Pete

Sambal Goreng Tempe Gembus: A Delicious Indonesian Tempe Delight

Sambal Goreng Tempe Gembus is a flavorful, savory dish from Indonesia that combines the rich, earthy flavors of tempe gembus (fermented soybean cake), crispy krecek (fried cow skin), and the fragrant heat of fresh chilies. Often enjoyed as a side dish with steamed rice, this recipe brings together a beautiful balance of sweet, spicy, and savory elements.

Here’s how to recreate this comforting, authentic Indonesian dish that is both satisfying and full of rich traditional flavors.

Ingredients

Preparation Steps

1. Prepare the Tempe Gembus
   Cut the tempe gembus into small cubes. Rinse it under warm water to firm up the texture and remove any excess moisture, which helps improve the dish’s consistency when cooked.

2. Prepare the Krecek and Pete
   Rinse the krecek (fried cow skin) thoroughly to remove any excess oil. Cut it into pieces according to your preference.
   For the pete (stink beans), peel off the outer skin and slice them in half. If you prefer a more intense flavor, leave them whole.

3. Prepare the Chilies, Shallots, and Garlic
   Thinly slice the rawit chilies, red chilies, and green chilies. Peel and chop the shallots and garlic into fine pieces.

4. Sauté the Aromatics
   Heat a little oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the shallots, garlic, rawit, red chilies, and green chilies. Stir fry them until fragrant, and the shallots become translucent.

5. Add Bay Leaves and Galangal
   Once the aromatics are fragrant, add the bay leaves and smashed galangal. Continue stir-frying until the entire mixture becomes aromatic.

6. Combine Krecek and Pete
   Add the krecek and pete into the pan. Stir-fry the ingredients until the krecek begins to soften and the pete becomes slightly tender.

7. Add Tempe Gembus
   Now, add the cubed tempe gembus into the mix. Stir everything well to combine the ingredients evenly.

8. Season the Dish
   Pour in a generous amount of sweet soy sauce (kecap manis) to achieve a deep, caramelized sweetness. Add salt, sugar, and seasoning (penyedap rasa) to your taste. Stir everything to ensure the tempe and other ingredients are fully coated in the sauce.

9. Simmer and Adjust the Flavor
   Let the dish simmer on low heat for 5-10 minutes to allow all the flavors to meld together. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more soy sauce, sugar, salt, or seasoning if needed.

10. Serve
    Once the dish has reached your desired flavor and consistency, remove from heat and serve warm with steamed rice. Enjoy the delicious combination of sweet, spicy, and savory notes in every bite!

Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving)

Enjoy the authentic flavors of Sambal Goreng Tempe Gembus, a delightful Indonesian dish that brings warmth and richness to any meal. Whether it’s served as a side dish or a main course, this recipe is sure to impress and satisfy your taste buds with its comforting spice and depth of flavor.