Sambal Terasi

Name: Sambal Terasi
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: Indonesian
Ingredients: Fresh red chile peppers — 200 g (7 oz); Shallots — 4; Garlic cloves — 3; Terasi (fermented shrimp paste), toasted — 15 g (1 tbsp); Ripe tomato — 1 small; Vegetable oil — 30 ml (2 tbsp); Salt and sugar — to taste

The Quirky Foodster Team

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15 min

Prep

12 min

Cook

Ingredients

Fresh red chile peppers — 200 g (7 oz)
Shallots — 4
Garlic cloves — 3
Terasi (fermented shrimp paste), toasted — 15 g (1 tbsp)
Ripe tomato — 1 small
Vegetable oil — 30 ml (2 tbsp)
Salt and sugar — to taste

Method

Toast the terasi wrapped in foil over a flame or in a dry pan for 1-2 minutes until fragrant (this reduces its raw
pungency).
Pound or process chiles, shallots, garlic and toasted terasi to a coarse paste.
Add tomato and pound or process further until combined.
Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat; fry the paste 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and deepened in
colour.
Season with salt and sugar to taste.

Cultural Background: A pungent sambal enriched with terasi (fermented shrimp paste), sambal terasi is one of Indonesia's most beloved everyday condiments, its deep umami funk considered essential to authentic home-style Indonesian cooking.

Tips: • Toasting the terasi before use is essential — using it raw gives an overly harsh, unpleasant pungency. • Frying the finished paste in oil develops deeper flavour and extends its shelf life.

Variations: • Adjust chile quantity for varying heat levels. • Add a squeeze of lime just before serving for extra brightness.

Storage: Refrigerate in a sealed jar up to 3 weeks.

Reheating: Not applicable; used cold or at room temperature, or reheated briefly if serving warm. Nutrition (per serving) Approx. 40 kcal, 1 g protein, 3 g fat, 2.5 g carbohydrate per 15 g serving. FAQs What is sambal terasi traditionally served with? A general table condiment for rice, fried foods, and vegetables throughout Indonesian home cooking. What is terasi? Indonesian fermented shrimp paste, intensely pungent raw but mellowing and deepening in flavour once toasted or fried.

FAQs: What is sambal terasi traditionally served with? A general table condiment for rice, fried foods, and vegetables throughout Indonesian home cooking. What is terasi? Indonesian fermented shrimp paste, intensely pungent raw but mellowing and deepening in flavour once toasted or fried.