Sambal Tappa Recipe

Ingredients

• 10 red chilies, deseeded and roughly chopped 10 red chilies, deseeded and roughly chopped
• 4 shallots, peeled and roughly chopped 4 shallots, peeled and roughly chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic, peeled 4 cloves of garlic, peeled
• 1 teaspoon shrimp paste 1 teaspoon shrimp paste
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon palm sugar, grated 1 tablespoon palm sugar, grated
• 1 teaspoon tamarind paste 1 teaspoon tamarind paste
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 80 kcal / 335 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 4g, 0.5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 6g
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a mortar and pestle, grind the red chilies, shallots, garlic, and shrimp paste into a smooth paste.
2. 2.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chili paste and cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
3. 3.
   Stir in the grated palm sugar, tamarind paste, and salt. Cook for another 2 minutes, stirring continuously.
4. 4.
   Remove from heat and let the sambal cool down before transferring it to a sterilized jar.
5. 5.
   Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Red chilies — Wear gloves while handling the chilies to avoid skin irritation.
• Shrimp paste — Toast the shrimp paste in a dry pan for a few seconds to enhance its flavor before using it in the recipe.

Tips & Tricks

• For a milder version, remove the seeds from the red chilies before grinding them.
• Adjust the amount of palm sugar according to your desired level of sweetness.
• Sambal Tappa tastes even better when allowed to sit for a day to let the flavors meld together.
• Use airtight containers to store the sambal and prevent it from losing its potency.
• Experiment with different types of red chilies to vary the heat level and flavor profile.

Serving advice

Serve Sambal Tappa as a condiment alongside Indonesian dishes such as Nasi Goreng (Indonesian fried rice), Satay, or Gado-Gado (Indonesian salad). It can also be used as a dipping sauce for grilled meats or as a spicy spread on sandwiches and wraps.

Presentation advice

Transfer the Sambal Tappa into a small bowl or jar and garnish it with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro or a few slices of fresh red chili. This will add a pop of color and make the presentation more appealing.