How to Make Rempah Goreng: Indonesian Meatballs with Peanut Sauce

shallots

🥗Healthier: red onions

💰Cheaper: yellow onions

Red onions offer a similar flavor with less cost.

lemongrass

🥗Healthier: lime zest

💰Cheaper: lemon juice

Lime zest provides a citrusy flavor at a lower price.

palm sugar

🥗Healthier: brown sugar

💰Cheaper: white sugar

Brown sugar mimics the caramel notes of palm sugar.

dried chilies

🥗Healthier: fresh chilies

💰Cheaper: chili powder

Fresh chilies add brightness, while chili powder is more accessible.

Fry sambal and garlic in 1.5 tablespoons of thick coconut milk over medium high heat until garlic is glassy

Add peanut butter to the pan and stir to combine with garlic and sambal

Once peanut butter starts to bubble, add the rest of the coconut milk gradually

Add tamarind paste, brown sugar, and salt to taste

Add approximately 1 tablespoon of ketjap manis and adjust seasoning

If too thick, add water or chicken stock until desired consistency is reached

Turn off the flame and skim off excess peanut oil from the top of the sauce

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, shredded coconut, mayo, grated macadamia nuts, salt, ketjap manis, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon juice, ground coriander, ground ginger, and sambal oelek

Mix all ingredients by hand until well combined

Shape mixture into small balls approximately 1.5 inches in diameter

Heat oil until it reaches smoke point and add meatballs to fry

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary