"Tempo Geprek with Kemangi"

Tempo Geprek with Kemangi is a popular Indonesian dish that has gained significant popularity among food enthusiasts in recent years. This dish is a variation of the traditional Indonesian tempeh, which is made from fermented soybeans. The term "geprek" in Indonesian language refers to the act of smashing or crushing something, and in this case, it refers to the way the tempeh is prepared for this dish.

Ingredients

To make "Tempo Geprek with Kemangi," you will need the following ingredients:

• Fresh tempeh
• Kemangi leaves (also known as Thai basil)
• Shallots
• Garlic
• Bird’s eye chili
• Lime or lemon
• Sweet soy sauce
• Salt
• Vegetable oil for frying

Preparation and Cooking Steps

1. Start by preparing the tempeh. Cut it into manageable sizes, such as cubes or rectangular pieces. This will make it easier to cook and smash later on.
2. Heat the vegetable oil in a frying pan or deep fryer. Make sure there is enough oil to completely submerge the tempeh.
3. Fry the tempeh until it turns golden brown and crispy. This process can take around 5-7 minutes, depending on the thickness of the tempeh. Set aside the fried tempeh on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
4. While the tempeh is draining, prepare the sauce. In a mortar and pestle, crush the shallots, garlic, and bird’s eye chili until it forms a paste-like consistency. If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, you can use a blender or food processor.
5. Heat a small amount of oil in a pan and sauté the paste until it becomes fragrant and the onions are translucent.
6. Add the kemangi leaves to the pan and sauté them briefly until they wilt. Make sure to reserve some kemangi leaves for garnishing later.
7. Add the sweet soy sauce, salt, and a squeeze of lime or lemon juice to the sauce. Adjust the seasonings according to your taste preferences.
8. Heat the sauce briefly until it thickens slightly. If you prefer a thinner sauce, you can add some water or vegetable broth to achieve the desired consistency.
9. In a large mortar or on a plate, place a few pieces of fried tempeh. Smash the tempeh using a pestle or the back of a spoon until it breaks into smaller pieces.
10. Pour the sauce over the smashed tempeh, making sure to coat each piece evenly.
11. Garnish the dish with the reserved kemangi leaves and serve it hot.

Serving Suggestions

"Tempo Geprek with Kemangi" is best enjoyed with a side of steamed rice or warm white rice. You can also serve it with fresh vegetables such as cucumber slices or lettuce to balance out the flavors. Some people also like to add a fried egg or some krupuk (Indonesian crackers) as additional toppings for extra texture and taste.

Final Notes

"Tempo Geprek with Kemangi" is a delicious and spicy Indonesian dish that combines the crunchiness of fried tempeh with the fragrant flavor of kemangi leaves. The smashing of the tempeh gives the dish an interesting texture, while the sauce adds a burst of flavors that is both savory and tangy. This dish is often enjoyed by Indonesians as a main course or as a topping for their nasi goreng (Indonesian fried rice). So, why not try making "Tempo Geprek with Kemangi" at home and experience the delightful combination of flavors for yourself?