Small Bowl of Tomato Sambal
(click to enlarge)

Tomato Sambal, Sweet


Indonesia   -   Sambal Tomat
Makes:
Effort:
Sched:
DoAhead:  		 1 cup
**
25 min
Yes		 A very tasty Indonesian Sambal condiment that doesn't have to be as chili hot as nearly all others do. See also Options.

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7
1-1/2
2
2
3
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2
1
1
---
oz
oz


T
---
T
T
t
-- Vegies
Tomatoes ripe!
Shallot
Chilis Red (1)
Thai Chili (2)
Oil
-----------
Tamarind Paste (3)  
Palm Sugar
Salt
Do Ahead   -   (40 min 5 min work)
  1. Make Tamarind Paste if not on hand.
Make   -   (25 min)
  1. Scald TOMATOES one minute in boiling water. Quench in cold water and peel. Chop medium.
  2. Cut SHALLOT in half lengthwise and slice medium crosswise.
  3. Cap RED CHILIS and cut in half lengthwise, remove seed mass and and as much of the veins as you think you need to. Slice lengthwise thin and crosswise less than 1/4 inch.
  4. Cap THAI CHILIS and chop fine.
  5. In a saucepan, mix together all Vegies Items, including 3 T Oil. Heat and fry the mix until Vegies are soft and wilted, about 5 minutes.
  6. Work Vegie mix into a coarse paste in a large mortar with pestle. Towards the end, include Tamarind, Palm Sugar, and Salt. You can use some other means, but keep plenty of texture.
  7. Refrigerated in a sealed container this will keep about 5 days.
NOTES:

  1. Chili, Red Fresh:

      Around here we all use Red Ripe Fresnos, but other medium hot red chilis, such as Holland Red will work. For details see our Thai / Asian Chilis page.

  2. Thai Chilis:

      This is where you control the heat. Two is just right for me used as a spread, but real Indonesians may want it quite a bit hotter. My recipe may be a little hot for folks from the frozen north. If so, use just one, or If you are very chili adverse, skip and depend on veins in the Red Chilis.

  3. Tamarind Paste:

      See our Tamarind Paste page for details.

  4. Options:

      No two people make this Sambal the same. Chili can be varied as explained above. Some add Indonesian toasted Shrimp Paste, some add Ginger, and the amount of sugar may be a little or a lot less than here. Some people like it thicker, and put it back in the pan with a little more oil to simmer down a bit.
  5. U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove in=inch, ar=as required tt=to taste
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