Cheesy Fried Tempeh with Spicy Garlic Sambal and Crispy Fish: A Delicious Twist on Tempe Penyet

Simple Fried Tempeh with Spicy Garlic Sambal: When my family and I traveled to Indonesia, we were lucky enough to stay with my friend, Ayu Pratama. Ayu is not just a wonderful friend but also an incredible cook. One evening, after a long day of exploring, she invited us into her kitchen and introduced me to this simple yet delicious recipe:

Tempe Penyet with Spicy Garlic Sambal.

I remember the smell of the garlic and chilies sizzling in the pan, blending with the earthy aroma of the tempeh. It was such a comforting dish, perfect after a tiring day. Ayu showed me how quickly you could make it, and that’s what I loved the most—how something so simple could be so satisfying.

Now, whenever I make this at home, it brings me back to that warm evening in Indonesia, surrounded by good food, laughter, and memories. It’s become a favorite in my kitchen, and I love sharing it with my family, just like Ayu did with hers.

Ingredients:

• Takes about 20 minutes
• Serves 2-3 people
• 1 block of tempeh
• A handful of bird’s eye chilies
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Cooking oil, as needed

Instructions:

1. Fry the tempeh as you normally would in hot oil.
2. While the tempeh is frying and turning golden brown, you can make the spicy garlic sambal.
   • Remove the stems from the chilies and peel the garlic. Wash them well.
3. Chop the chilies and garlic.
   • Transfer them to a bowl or mortar.
   • Add salt and sugar, then mix everything well.
4. Pour some of the hot oil leftover from frying the tempeh over the chili and garlic mixture.
   • Your spicy garlic sambal is ready to serve!

To make this Tempe Penyet even more delicious, you can elevate it with a few extra ingredients like cheese and fish! Adding these will give the dish a rich, savory twist while keeping the essence of the original recipe intact. Here’s an improved version:

Cheesy Fried Tempeh with Spicy Garlic Sambal and Fish

Ingredients:

• Takes about 25 minutes
• Serves 2-3 people
• 1 block of tempeh
• 1 handful of bird’s eye chilies
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Cooking oil, as needed
• 50g grated cheese (cheddar or your favorite kind)
• 1 small fried fish (mackerel or tilapia works well)

Instructions:

1. Fry the Tempeh:
   • Fry the tempeh in hot oil until it’s golden brown, just as you normally would.
2. Prepare the Sambal:
   • While the tempeh is frying, make the spicy garlic sambal.
   • Remove the stems from the chilies and peel the garlic. Wash them well.
   • Chop the chilies and garlic, then transfer them to a bowl or mortar.
   • Add the salt and sugar, and mix well.
3. Add Cheese:
   • Once the sambal is ready, sprinkle some grated cheese over the fried tempeh while it’s still hot. The cheese will melt slightly, adding a creamy, savory touch to the crispy tempeh.
4. Fry the Fish:
   • Fry the fish separately until crispy and golden.
   • Serve the fish alongside the cheesy tempeh and sambal.
5. Final Touch:
   • Pour some of the hot oil from frying the tempeh over the sambal to blend the flavors, and serve everything together—crispy tempeh, cheesy goodness, spicy sambal, and fried fish.

Improved Versions:

• Tempeh with Grilled Fish & Cheese: You can grill the fish for a healthier option. Grilled tilapia or mackerel pairs nicely with the cheesy tempeh.
• Tempeh and Fish Tacos: Wrap the cheesy fried tempeh, sambal, and fish in a soft tortilla for a fun twist—perfect for a fusion meal! Add a squeeze of lime and some fresh veggies to enhance the flavors.

These variations take the humble Tempe Penyet to the next level. You get a delightful mix of creamy cheese, spicy sambal, and crispy fish all in one dish!