Sambal Terasi (Indonesian Shrimp Paste Chili Paste)

🧂 Ingredients

• 10 Red chilies(Larger, milder chilies. Remove stems.)
• 5 Bird's eye chilies(Smaller, hotter chilies. Adjust quantity to your spice preference. Remove stems.)
• 1 tsp Shrimp paste (terasi)(Aged and fermented shrimp paste. Look for it in Asian markets. It has a strong aroma.)
• 1 Tomato(Medium-sized, ripe. Cut into quarters.)
• 1 tbsp Lime juice(Freshly squeezed is best.)
• 0.5 tsp Salt(Or to taste.)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the shrimp paste: Gently toast the shrimp paste in a dry skillet over medium-low heat for about 2-3 minutes, or until fragrant and slightly darkened. Be careful not to burn it. This process mellows its pungent aroma and enhances its flavor. Let it cool slightly.

   ⏱️ 3 minutes
2. 2

   Pound the chilies: In a mortar and pestle, combine the red chilies and bird's eye chilies. Pound them until they form a coarse paste. You should see small flecks of chili skin and seeds.

   ⏱️ 10 minutes
3. 3

   Incorporate terasi and tomato: Add the toasted shrimp paste and quartered tomato to the mortar. Continue pounding, working the ingredients together until the tomato breaks down and the mixture becomes a cohesive, slightly chunky paste. The terasi should be well incorporated.

   ⏱️ 7 minutes
4. 4

   Season and finish: Stir in the fresh lime juice and salt. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. The sambal should have a balance of spicy, savory, and tangy flavors.

   ⏱️ 2 minutes

💡 Pro Tips

• ✓For a smoother sambal, you can briefly process the ingredients in a food processor after pounding, but traditionalists prefer the texture from a mortar and pestle.
• ✓Adjust the ratio of red chilies to bird's eye chilies to control the heat level.
• ✓Sambal Terasi is best served fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

🔄 Variations

• Sambal Matah (raw sambal with shallots and lemongrass)
• Sambal Ijo (green chili sambal)
• Add a pinch of sugar for a touch of sweetness.

🥗 Nutrition

Per serving