Indonesian Padang sambal merah (red sambal)

[KennethT]

This was a first try - came out really good, I don't know if I would change it - it came out very similar to what we had recently in various places in Jakarta.

 

Makes 3-4 servings for 2 people 

 

- 250g Indonesian red keriting chillies (I grow these)

if you don't have access to these, you can substitute the same quantity of large red spur chillies plus a few Thai chillies

- 1 large US/European shallot or 3 small asian shallots

- 3 cloves garlic

 

- 1 red plum tomato (hard and not that ripe)

 

- 3 kaffir lime leaves

 

seasoning:

- juice of about 1/3 of a US lime

- 1/2 t MSG

- 1/3 t chicken or mushroom powder

- 1 t salt

 

1. Grind the chillies, shallot and garlic together to a rough paste

2. Grind the tomato separately

3. Heat a wok with about 1/4C of neutral oil and fry the chilli paste over moderate heat until softened and fragrant, stirring constantly

4. Add the lime leaves and ground tomato

5. Fry, stirring constantly, until the oil seeps back out of the mixture

6. Season, to taste