Learn to make Sambal Oelek, which means “ground chili sauce.” This is considered base sambal, used as the starting point for many different varieties. It’s quite spicy, and I use it all the time when cooking Indonesian foods.
When I was dating my (now) wife, she came to visit me in The Netherlands. One day, I am cooking something with Sambal Oelek, and she asked me what that was. I put some on a spoon, and said “taste it.” She tried the spoon, and well…. wasn’t thrilled iwth me. I’m a lucky man that she kept dating me, and eventually, married me!
Sambal Oelek
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cut the stem and shoulders of the chilies, and give them a rough chop.No need to de-seed, you want this to be spicy.
- Add the cut-up chilies to your food processor, and process until it turns into a paste. There will be little pieces left, as well as seeds; that is OK.
- Transfer the chili paste to a bowl, and mix salt through it. Let it sit for some time, and then put it in a jar, and store in the fridge.


