Authentic Sambal Recipe Java, Indonesia

Sambal refers to a large group of spicy sauces or condiments which are a quintessential part of almost every Indonesian meal. It can be spicy, sweet, salty, or sour depending on the region, and its texture can range from coarse to smooth. Basic sambal, sometimes known as sambal oelek or sambal ulek, is traditionally made by grinding raw chili peppers with some salt using a stone mortar and pestle called ulek. Sometimes, sambal ulek is enriched with vinegar of lime juice and serves as a base for other, more complex sambals. Those are made with either fresh or fried vegetables — chili peppers in the first place, onions, Asian shallots, garlic, eggplants, and tomatoes seasoned with vinegar, lime juice, lemongrass, sugar, soy sauce and terasi — fermented shrimp paste or powder. Additional ingredients include various fruits such as mango, young banana, and strawberries, or nuts like peanuts and Indian walnuts. A traditional way of preparing ... Read more