Sambal goreng - mixed vegetables

sambal_goreng_-_mixed_vegetables

Indonesian cuisine is renowned for its bold, spicy and aromatic flavors. The country’s culinary heritage is a fascinating combination of indigenous, Chinese, Malay, Indian and Arabic influences. One of the most popular dishes from this cuisine is the sambal goreng - mixed vegetables, which combines fresh and colorful vegetables with a spicy and fragrant sauce.

Sambal goreng, which translates to “fried sambal”, is a popular Indonesian dish that is often served as a side dish or a main course. The dish itself is a delicious mix of various vegetables such as green beans, carrots, tofu, tempeh, eggplant, and cabbage. The vegetables are stir-fried until tender and crispy before being coated in a rich and spicy sauce made from chili peppers, shallots, galangal, and tamarind.

The combination of crunchy texture and spicy flavor in sambal goreng mixed vegetables makes it a perfect dish to have with rice. The dish is versatile, as it can be served as a side dish, a main dish, or even as a snack.

To make sambal goreng mixed vegetables, the first step is to prepare the vegetables. The vegetables are cut into bite-sized pieces, and the tofu and tempeh are sliced into thin pieces. The green beans and carrots are blanched in boiling water for a few minutes to make sure they’re cooked through. The eggplant, on the other hand, is cut into small pieces and fried until it is soft and tender.

The next step is to prepare the sambal sauce. In a mortar and pestle, the chili peppers, shallots, and galangal are mashed into a paste. The paste is then fried in a hot wok with a little bit of oil until fragrant. Water, tamarind, palm sugar, and salt are then added to the mixture, and everything is simmered until a thick sauce is formed.

The vegetables are then added to the wok and mixed with the sambal sauce. The dish is then left to simmer until the vegetables are fully coated in the sauce and heated through. The final touch is the addition of kaffir lime leaves, which adds a fresh and citrusy flavor to the dish.

There are many variations of sambal goreng mixed vegetables across Indonesia, with different regions and households having their own unique twists on the classic recipe. Some people might add chicken or beef to the dish to make it a little more filling, while others might use different vegetables depending on what is available in their region.

Overall, sambal goreng mixed vegetables is a classic Indonesian dish that is packed with fresh and colorful vegetables, vibrant flavor, and a little bit of heat. The dish is simple to make and can be customized to suit your own taste preferences. So why not give it a try and see if it becomes one of your go-to dishes when you need to add a little bit of spice to your life.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons grated ginger
  • 2 red chilies, sliced (optional)
  • 2 cups mixed vegetables (such as long beans, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, and tofu), chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon tamarind paste
  • 1 stalk lemongrass, bruised
  • 2 kaffir lime leaves
  • Water, as needed

Instructions:

  1. Heat the oil in a large wok or skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

  2. Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and sliced chilies (if using), and cook for another minute until fragrant.

  3. Add the mixed vegetables to the pan and stir to combine. Add enough water to cover the vegetables partially, but not completely.

  4. Add the coconut milk, salt, sugar, tamarind paste, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves to the pan. Stir to combine.

  5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the sauce has thickened slightly. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more water as needed.

  6. Serve the sambal goreng hot with rice or noodles. Enjoy!