Makassar Totopo with Spicy Peanut Sauce

Ingredients

In this adaptation, we have transformed the traditional Mexican Totopo into a Makassar delight by incorporating the flavors and ingredients of Makassar cuisine. The addition of the spicy peanut sauce, a staple in Makassar cuisine, gives the dish a unique twist and enhances its taste profile. The use of local spices and chili peppers adds a touch of Makassar's vibrant culinary culture to the dish. We alse have the original recipe for Totopo, so you can check it out.

• 10 corn tortillas 10 corn tortillas
• Vegetable oil, for frying Vegetable oil, for frying
• 1 cup (240g) roasted peanuts 1 cup (240g) roasted peanuts
• 2 red chili peppers, seeded and chopped 2 red chili peppers, seeded and chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon tamarind paste 1 teaspoon tamarind paste
• 1 teaspoon palm sugar 1 teaspoon palm sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste
• Water, as needed Water, as needed

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 23g, 2g
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 0.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat vegetable oil in a deep pan or fryer to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   Cut the corn tortillas into triangles.
3. 3.
   Fry the tortilla triangles in batches until golden and crispy. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels.
4. 4.
   In a blender or food processor, combine roasted peanuts, red chili peppers, garlic, tamarind paste, palm sugar, ground coriander, ground cumin, turmeric powder, and salt. Blend until smooth, adding water as needed to achieve a creamy consistency.
5. 5.
   Transfer the peanut sauce to a serving bowl.
6. 6.
   Serve the crispy totopos with the spicy peanut sauce on the side.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Corn tortillas — Make sure to cut the tortillas into triangles before frying to achieve the classic totopo shape.
• Roasted peanuts — If you can't find roasted peanuts, you can roast raw peanuts in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 10-15 minutes until golden brown.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of heat, add more chili peppers to the peanut sauce.
• Serve the totopos and peanut sauce with a side of fresh cucumber slices for a refreshing contrast.
• If you prefer a smoother peanut sauce, you can strain it through a fine-mesh sieve after blending.

Serving advice

Serve the Makassar Totopo with Spicy Peanut Sauce as an appetizer or snack. Arrange the crispy totopos on a platter and place the bowl of peanut sauce in the center. Garnish with chopped cilantro or sliced red chili peppers for an added touch of color.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, you can sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds or crushed peanuts over the peanut sauce. Serve the totopos on a banana leaf-lined platter for an authentic touch of Makassar cuisine.