Sweet and Spicy Tempe Stir-Fry (Oseng Tempe Pedas Manis)
Spicy Sweet Tempe Stir-Fry (Oseng Tempe Pedas Manis)
This Spicy Sweet Tempe Stir-Fry is a flavorful Indonesian dish that combines the rich texture of tempe with the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors. Tempe, a traditional fermented soybean product, takes center stage in this dish, where it’s stir-fried with aromatic herbs and spices, giving it a delicious depth of taste. This dish is simple yet packed with bold, dynamic flavors that make it irresistible.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | 
|---|---|
| Tempe (fermented soybean cake) | 2 blocks | 
| Sweet soy sauce (Kecap) | To taste | 
| Salt | To taste | 
| Chicken or vegetable bouillon powder (Kaldu Bubuk) | To taste | 
| Palm sugar (Gula Jawa) | To taste | 
| Cooking oil | As needed | 
| Water | As needed | 
| Bay leaf (Daun Salam) | 1 leaf | 
| Galangal (Lengkuas) | 1 small piece (about 2 inches) | 
| Kaffir lime leaves (Daun Jeruk) | 1-2 leaves | 
| Garlic (Bawang Putih) | 2 cloves | 
| Shallots (Bawang Merah) | 5 cloves | 
| Bird’s eye chili (Cabe Rawit) | 4 small chilies | 
| Red chili (Cabe Merah) | 4 medium chilies | 
Instructions:
- 
Prepare the Tempe: Related Articles- Cut the tempe into small cube-sized pieces, ensuring they are uniform for even cooking.
- Heat oil in a frying pan and fry the tempe pieces until they are half-cooked or slightly golden brown. Remove from the pan and set aside.
 
- 
Prepare the Aromatics: - Thinly slice the garlic, shallots, red chili, and bird’s eye chili.
- Lightly crush the galangal and slice the kaffir lime leaves, removing the tough center stem if necessary.
- Set all the ingredients aside, ready for the stir-fry.
 
- 
Sauté the Spices: - In a clean pan, heat a little oil over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic, shallots, chilies, galangal, bay leaf, and kaffir lime leaves.
- Sauté the mixture until fragrant, and the shallots become translucent and the spices release their aroma.
 
- 
Combine with Tempe: - Once the spices are fragrant, add the fried tempe to the pan and toss everything together until the tempe is well-coated with the spices.
 
- 
Season the Stir-Fry: - Pour in a small amount of water to deglaze the pan and help the flavors come together.
- Add salt, palm sugar, and sweet soy sauce (kecap) to taste. Stir everything thoroughly and allow the tempe to absorb the sauce for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
 
- 
Final Taste Check: - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more soy sauce, sugar, or salt to balance the flavors as desired.
- Allow the dish to simmer until the sauce thickens and the tempe absorbs all the flavors, becoming rich and sticky.
 
- 
Serve and Enjoy: - Once everything is well-cooked and the flavors are absorbed, serve hot with steamed rice or as a side dish with other Indonesian delights. The sweet, spicy tempe will delight your taste buds with each bite!
 
Nutritional Information (per serving):
| Nutrient | Amount per serving | 
|---|---|
| Calories | Approx. 200-250 kcal | 
| Protein | 12g | 
| Carbohydrates | 20g | 
| Fiber | 5g | 
| Fat | 12g | 
| Sodium | 500-600mg | 
| Sugars | 5-6g | 
This Spicy Sweet Tempe Stir-Fry is an easy, delicious, and budget-friendly way to enjoy tempe, and it packs a punch with the bold flavors of Indonesia. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or to serve at a gathering!



