Title: Spicy Tempe and Crackers (Tempe Krecek Pedas)
Tempe Krecek Pedas is a delightful Indonesian dish featuring crispy crackers and tempeh in a rich, aromatic, and spicy coconut broth. The combination of crunchy crackers with the savory tempeh and the complex flavors of the rich coconut milk sauce makes this dish a true Indonesian favorite. Perfect for those who love spicy and flavorful foods, it’s a great side dish or snack for gatherings.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Crackers (kerupuk krecek) | 1/4 kg |
| Tempeh, diced and half-fried | 1 board (papan) |
| For the Spice Paste (Bumbu Halus): | |
| Red curly chili (cabe merah keriting) | 5 pieces |
| Red bird’s eye chili (cabe rawit merah) | 15 pieces (5 blended, 10 whole) |
| Shallots (bawang merah) | 3 cloves |
| Garlic (bawang putih) | 2 cloves |
| Small tomato (tomat) | 1 small |
| Bay leaves (daun salam) | 2 leaves |
| Galangal, crushed (lengkuas) | 1 thumb-sized piece |
| Coconut milk (santan) | 1 cup (use Kara or similar) |
| Salt (garam) | to taste |
| Palm sugar (gula merah) | to taste |
| Seasoning (penyedap) | to taste |
| Water (air) | as needed |
Instructions
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Prepare the spice paste: In a blender or mortar, blend the red curly chilies, bird’s eye chilies (5 of them), shallots, garlic, and a small tomato until smooth. Set aside.
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Cook the spice paste: Heat a little oil in a pan and sauté the blended spice paste until it becomes aromatic and the oil starts to separate. Add in the bay leaves and crushed galangal to infuse more depth into the flavor.
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Add the tempeh: Once the spices are fragrant, add the diced tempeh to the pan. Sauté until the tempeh starts to absorb the spices and is slightly golden.
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Simmer with coconut milk: Pour in the coconut milk and enough water to slightly cover the tempeh. Bring to a boil and let it simmer gently for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
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Season the dish: Add the remaining bird’s eye chilies (whole) and the tomato to the pot. Season with salt, palm sugar, and a dash of seasoning (optional). Adjust the sweetness, saltiness, and spiciness to your taste.
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Add the crackers: Finally, stir in the kerupuk krecek (crackers) and let them absorb the flavors of the sauce. Continue to cook until the sauce reduces slightly and the crackers become tender but still a bit crunchy.
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Serve and enjoy: Once the dish is ready and the sauce has thickened, serve hot. Tempe Krecek Pedas can be enjoyed as a main dish or as a flavorful side to accompany your favorite Indonesian meals.
This simple yet flavorful dish offers a delightful blend of textures and spices, perfect for lovers of Indonesian cuisine. Whether served with rice or as a standalone treat, Tempe Krecek Pedas is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
