The Indonesian sambal is a chili sauce and one of the most popular Indonesian dishes. The combination of peppers, tangy lime juice, sugar and salt, all pounded with mortar; creating such an aroma and a mystical taste to dishes.
Ingredients Of Sambal
- 6–8 red chillies
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 cm piece ginger
- 1 lemongrass root, thinly sliced from the white part only
- 50ml white vinegar
- ½ cup white sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 1lime, grated
Also Read: Satay (Indonesian Receipe)
Sambal Preparation:
- Chop the ginger, garlic and lemongrass and place them in a mortar.
- Add the peppers and half the lime zest, keeping the other half aside for later.
- Crush the ingredients together in the mortar. Gradually add the vinegar.
- Add a pinch of salt and lime zest, for flavor, while continuing to break down the ingredients. Add the crushed ingredients to a pan then bring the pan to a boil with the mixture of a wooden spoon.
- After boiling, simmer for 3 minutes Add a pinch of sugar while stirring Steam for about 10 minutes on a medium flame Finally add grated lime to top it off.
- The sambal can be served hot or cold, preferably fresh, in addition to any dish.