Vegetarian Ayam Penyet

Get ready to bring the bold, spicy flavors of Indonesia to your table with this irresistible Vegetarian Ayam Penyet! A plant-based twist on the classic comfort dish, this recipe swaps out chicken for golden, marinated tempeh and tofu, fried to crispy perfection. The star of the dish is the fiery, homemade sambal sauce—an aromatic blend of red chilies, garlic, shallots, and lime juice that adds a vibrant kick to every bite. Served alongside refreshing slices of cucumber and tomatoes, and drizzled with sweet kecap manis for a hint of caramelized flavor, this protein-packed dish is as satisfying as it is flavorful. Perfect for vegetarians and spice lovers, this one-plate wonder is a healthy, easy-to-make meal that captures the essence of Southeast Asian cuisine.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams tempeh
• 4 garlic cloves
• 5 shallots
• 2 candlenuts
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 5 red chilies
• 1 lime
• 2 tablespoons fried shallots
• 0.5 teaspoon sugar
• 200 grams tofu
• 1 cucumber
• 2 tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons kecap manis

Directions

Step 1

Cut the tempeh and tofu into 1-inch cubes.

Step 2

Prepare a marinade by grinding together 3 garlic cloves, 3 shallots, 2 candlenuts, coriander powder, turmeric powder, salt, and black pepper into a paste. Mix this paste into a bowl with water.

Step 3

Add the tempeh and tofu cubes into the marinade, allowing them to soak for at least 15 minutes.

Step 4

Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat.

Step 5

Fry the marinated tempeh and tofu until golden brown. Once fried, remove and set aside on paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 6

In a blender, combine red chilies, the remaining garlic and shallots, fried shallots, sugar, salt, and a bit of oil from frying. Blend until it forms a thick sambal sauce.

Step 7

Heat a small pan and fry the sambal mixture for about 5 minutes to deepen the flavors. Squeeze in the juice of one lime and mix well, then transfer to a serving bowl.

Step 8

Chop cucumbers and tomatoes into slices and arrange as part of the serving platter.

Step 9

Assemble the Vegetarian Ayam Penyet by placing the fried tempeh and tofu on a plate, alongside freshly cut vegetables, and topped with sambal sauce.

Step 10

Finish with a drizzle of kecap manis over the tempeh and tofu before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2084.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3767.4

Total Fat 319.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 55.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 134.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3715.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 149.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 29.7g	0%
Total Sugars 59.4g
Protein 132.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1441.4mg	0%
Iron 29.9mg	0%
Potassium 5445.0mg	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: 71.9%

Protein: 13.2%

Carbs: 14.9%