Tempe Orek
Discover the irresistible flavors of **Tempe Orek**, a classic Indonesian dish that transforms humble tempeh into a sweet, savory, and aromatic delight. Featuring crispy golden-brown tempeh tossed in a luscious glaze of **sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)**, sugar, and fragrant spices like garlic, shallots, bay leaves, and galangal, this recipe is bursting with bold and authentic taste. A touch of red chili adds a gentle kick, perfect for spice lovers. Ideal as a side dish or a protein-packed main, Tempe Orek pairs beautifully with steamed rice for a comforting and wholesome meal. With just 15 minutes of prep time and simple cooking techniques, this dish is perfect for anyone seeking a taste of Indonesian home cooking. Savor the caramelized sauce clinging to crispy tempeh and bring a piece of Southeast Asia to your table!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams tempeh
- 5 large shallots
- 3 large garlic cloves
- 3 medium red chili
- 4 tablespoons sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 100 milliliters water
- 200 milliliters cooking oil
- 2 leaves bay leaves
- 1 inch, smashed galangal
Instructions
Cut the tempeh into small bite-sized cubes.
Heat the cooking oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, fry the tempeh cubes until golden brown and crispy. Remove the tempeh and set aside on paper towels to drain excess oil.
Peel and slice the shallots and garlic thinly. Slice the red chili into rounds. Adjust the amount of chili to your spice preference.
In another pan, pour in a tablespoon of the oil used to fry the tempeh. Add the sliced shallots, garlic, and red chili, sautéing them until they are fragrant and slightly browned.
Add the bay leaves and smashed galangal to the pan, stirring for an additional 1-2 minutes to release their flavors.
Once the spices are aromatic, add the fried tempeh back into the pan.
Pour in the sweet soy sauce, salt, sugar, and water. Stir well to combine everything evenly.
Cook uncovered for about 10 minutes over a low simmer, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the tempeh thoroughly. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Once the sauce has caramelized and the tempeh is well-coated, remove the pan from heat.
Transfer the Tempe Orek to a serving bowl. Serve warm and enjoy this delightful dish as a side or main course.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
713 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 61.2 g | 78% | |
| Saturated Fat | 9.4 g | 47% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 875 mg | 38% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 31.1 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.6 g | 24% | |
| Total Sugars | 16.7 g | ||
| Protein | 20.7 g | 41% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 139 mg | 11% | |
| Iron | 3.3 mg | 18% | |
| Potassium | 605 mg | 13% | |
*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.
