Sweet Sambal

Transform your meals with the bold and irresistible flavors of Sweet Sambal, a delectable Indonesian-inspired condiment that perfectly balances heat and sweetness. Made with fiery red chili peppers, caramelized shallots, and garlic, this savory blend gains its signature sweetness from rich palm sugar and a tangy punch from tamarind paste. Sautéed to aromatic perfection and simmered to a slightly thickened texture, this versatile homemade sambal elevates everything from grilled meats to steamed rice. Quick to prepare in just 35 minutes, it’s an easy yet flavorful addition to your kitchen repertoire, keeping for up to two weeks in the fridge. Perfect for those seeking an authentic, sweet-and-spicy taste of Southeast Asia!

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 10 medium-sized red chili peppers
• 3 medium shallots
• 4 large garlic cloves
• 50 grams palm sugar
• 1 tablespoon tamarind paste
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 60 milliliters water

Directions

Step 1

Start by preparing the ingredients. Chop the red chili peppers, shallots, and garlic cloves finely. If you prefer less heat, remove the seeds from the chili peppers before chopping.

Step 2

In a large frying pan, heat the cooking oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped shallots and garlic. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes until they become fragrant and start to caramelize.

Step 3

Add the chopped red chili peppers to the frying pan and continue to sauté for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.

Step 4

Once the mixture is aromatic and the chilies have softened, add the palm sugar and continue to cook while stirring until the sugar melts and starts to caramelize, about 3 minutes.

Step 5

Add the tamarind paste and salt to the pan, stirring well to combine with the chili mixture. Slowly pour in the water and bring the mixture to a low simmer.

Step 6

Reduce the heat and let the sambal cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure it doesn’t stick to the pan. The mixture should thicken slightly.

Step 7

Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. You can add a bit more salt or sugar at this point to suit your taste preferences.

Step 8

Once done, remove the pan from the heat and let the sambal cool before transferring it to a clean jar. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Step 9

Enjoy your sweet sambal as a dipping sauce or use it to enhance the flavor of your dishes like grilled meats, eggs, or rice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(453.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	659.9

Total Fat 28.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 3.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2422.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 100.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.1g	0%
Total Sugars 76.5g
Protein 7.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 122.1mg	0%
Iron 4.9mg	0%
Potassium 1774.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 37.5%

Protein: 4.4%

Carbs: 58.1%