How to Use Indonesian Chili Sauce: A Beginner’s Guide

 

Indonesian cuisine is known for its rich flavors and liberal use of spices. One of the most important ingredients in Indonesian cooking is chili sauce, which adds a spicy kick to any dish. If you’re new to Indonesian cuisine, it can be daunting to figure out how to use chili sauce in your cooking. In this blog post, we’ll provide a guide on how to use Indonesian chili sauce to add flavor and heat to your meals.

check out the health benefits of chili peppers

1. Choose the right type of chili sauce

There are many different types of chili sauce in Indonesian cuisine,

Nyah Tewel offers a range of chili sauces that are perfect for adding a touch of Indonesian flavor to your meals. Here are some of our most popular chili sauces:

1. Sambal Cumi: Made with squid, shallots, garlic, and bird’s eye chili, this sauce is perfect for adding a spicy kick to your seafood dishes.
2. Sambal Matah Cumi: A variation of the popular sambal matah sauce, this version features squid as the main ingredient. It’s a great condiment for grilled or fried squid.
3. Sambal Terasi: This sauce is made with shrimp paste, which gives it a unique umami flavor. It’s a versatile sauce that can be used as a condiment or an ingredient in cooking.
4. Sambal Pupuk Bawang: Made with garlic and chili, this sauce is perfect for adding to your stir-fries and noodle dishes.
5. Sambal Tuna: Made with fresh tuna, this sauce has a unique flavor that pairs well with grilled or fried fish.
6. Sambal Kecombrang: This sauce is made with torch ginger flower, which gives it a slightly sour and floral taste. It’s a great condiment for grilled or fried chicken.
7. Sambal Roa: Made with smoked fish, this sauce has a rich and savory flavor that’s perfect for adding to your soups and stews.

Each of our chili sauces is made with high-quality ingredients and follows strict hygiene protocols to ensure its quality and safety. Try them out and add a touch of Indonesian flavor to your meals!

2. Use it as a marinade

Indonesian chili sauce, also known as sambal, is a versatile condiment that can be used in many ways, including as a marinade. Marinating is a great way to infuse your food with flavor, and using sambal as a marinade is a sure way to add a kick to your dish.

To use sambal as a marinade, start by selecting the type of sambal that best complements the dish you are making. For example, if you are marinating chicken, you may want to use sambal matah, a Balinese chili sauce made with shallots and lemongrass, or sambal terasi, a spicy shrimp paste-based sauce.

Next, mix the sambal with other ingredients such as oil, vinegar, soy sauce, or lime juice to balance the heat and add depth to the flavor. The amount of sambal you use will depend on your preference for spiciness, but a general rule of thumb is to use about two tablespoons of sambal for every pound of meat.

Place the meat in a resealable plastic bag or a container with a tight-fitting lid and pour the marinade over it. Make sure the meat is coated evenly with the marinade, then cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to several hours, depending on the thickness of the meat.

When you’re ready to cook, remove the meat from the marinade and discard the excess marinade. You can grill, broil, or sauté the meat as you normally would, and the sambal will infuse it with a delicious spicy flavor.

Using sambal as a marinade is a great way to add some Indonesian flair to your cooking. Experiment with different types of sambal and ingredients to create your own unique marinade and take your dishes to the next level.

3. Add it to stir-fries

Stir-fries are a popular way to incorporate chili sauce into Indonesian cuisine.Here’s a simple guide on how to use it for stir-fry:

1. Start by preparing your ingredients. Cut your vegetables and protein into bite-sized pieces, and have them all ready to go.
2. Heat up some oil in a wok or a large frying pan over high heat. Once the oil is hot, add your protein and stir-fry until it’s cooked through.
3. Add your vegetables to the wok and continue stir-frying for another minute or two until they start to soften.
4. Now it’s time to add your sambal. Depending on how spicy you want your stir-fry to be, you can add as much or as little as you like. Start with a tablespoon or two and adjust from there.
5. Stir the sambal into the stir-fry, making sure that it’s evenly distributed. You can add a splash of water or stock if the stir-fry looks too dry.
6. Continue stir-frying for another minute or two until everything is well coated in the sambal and the vegetables are cooked to your liking.
7. Serve your stir-fry immediately, garnished with some fresh herbs or chopped peanuts if you like.

Using sambal as a stir-fry sauce is a quick and easy way to add some heat and flavor to your dishes. Experiment with different types of sambal to find the one that best suits your taste preferences.

4. Use it as a condiment

Sambal roa is a spicy condiment that originates from Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. It is made from a combination of ground smoked fish (typically mackerel or tuna), chili peppers, tomatoes, and lime juice. Sambal roa has a unique and distinct flavor that is spicy, smoky, and tangy all at once.

One of the most common ways to use sambal roa is as a condiment, which means it can be served alongside other dishes to add an extra burst of flavor. Sambal roa pairs perfectly with grilled or fried fish, but it can also be used to add flavor to other proteins such as chicken or tofu.

To use sambal roa as a condiment, simply place a small amount on the side of your plate and use it to complement your dish. Alternatively, you can mix it into your rice or noodles for a spicy and flavorful twist. Sambal roa can also be used as a dipping sauce for vegetables or crackers, or as a topping for sandwiches or burgers.

When using sambal roa as a condiment, it’s important to remember that it is quite spicy, so start with a small amount and adjust to your taste. You can also adjust the consistency of sambal roa to your liking by adding more lime juice for a thinner sauce or more fish for a thicker paste.

5. Experiment with different combinations

One of the best things about chili sauce is its versatility. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations of ingredients to find the perfect flavor profile for your tastes. Try mixing chili sauce with coconut milk for a creamy, spicy sauce, or add it to a salad dressing for an extra kick of flavor.

Incorporating Indonesian chili sauce into your cooking is an excellent way to add flavor and heat to your meals. By following these tips and experimenting with different combinations of ingredients, you can create delicious dishes that are sure to impress. And with Nyah Tewel’s authentic Indonesian chili sauce blends, you can be sure you’re getting the best possible flavor and quality in every dish.