Sambal
Sambal is the building block of Malaysian cooking, and this easy sambal recipe is the real deal. Learn how to make homemade sambal to bring its spicy, bold, and aromatic flavors to your dishes. Whether you’re a pro in the kitchen or just a beginner, sambal adds an exciting kick to your cooking. Get ready to spice up your meals with authentic Malaysian sambal!
- Prep time
- 15 min
- Cook time
- 5 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 20 dried chilies (seeded and soaked to soften)
- 10 fresh red chilies (seeded and sliced)
- 8 shallots (peeled and chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (peeled and chopped)
- 1 teaspoon belacan (break into small bits)
- 1/3 cup (6 tablespoons) cooking oil
Instructions
- 1
Use a mortar and pestle to thoroughly pound the sambal ingredients, or opt for a food processor to blend them into a fine, smooth sambal paste.
- 2
Heat oil in a wok over medium heat until hot. Add the sambal paste and stir-fry continuously for a few minutes.
- 3
Make sure the oil separates from the sambal.
- 4
Remove from heat and transfer to a bowl. Let it cool before storing in an airtight container. Keep it in the refrigerator for future use.