Indonesian Peanut Sauce Recipe

Although commonly associated with Thai cuisine, peanut sauce actually originated in Indonesia (source). What people know as peanut sauce is more commonly referred to as satay sauce (or bumbu kacang) in Indonesia, because it’s most often served with the popular Indonesian dish, satay (skewered, grilled meats).

Here is how you can make it at your home and mix it with your fav dish!

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or just enough to coat the peanuts)
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (200 g) raw skinless peanuts
• 1 ½ cups (375 ml) water
• 2 makrut lime leaves (optional)
• 1 tablespoon seedless wet tamarind pulp, or 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
• 3 tablespoons coconut palm sugar
• 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
• 1 teaspoon sambal oelek chili paste

Methods:

1. Pour the oil into a large wok and set over medium heat until shimmering hot. Add the peanuts and stir and cook until golden brown, 4 to 6 minutes. Toss them continuously so they cook evenly without burning.
2. Scoop up the peanuts with a slotted spoon and transfer them to a paper-towel-lined plate to cool. Remove any burnt peanuts, they will taste bitter.
3. When the peanuts are cool enough to handle, grind them in a small food processor or pulverize them with a mortar and pestle until they have the texture of coarse sand.
4. Mix the water with the lime leaves, tamarind, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then adjust the heat until it is bubbling gently. Simmer for about 5 minutes, breaking up the tamarind pulp.
5. Remove the lime leaves and any chunks of tamarind pulp with a slotted spoon. Add the ground peanuts and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Adjust the heat and simmer gently until thick and creamy like gravy, 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often so the sauce doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
6. Remove from the heat and stir in the sambal. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed, making sure the acidity of the tamarind or lime sings through.
7. Serve the peanut sauce with vegetables or any food as you like.

Source: epicurious.com