This Spicy Anchovies, Peanuts, and Tempeh is a condiment in a sweet, spicy, and sticky coating. It is wonderful served with rice and curry.
Aah…for the simple pleasures in life! There are some dishes that seem so homespun and yet when you encounter them in a buffet spread, everyone makes a bee-line for it. This Malay condiment is often found at “rice stalls” during lunch time. It goes very well with rice and curry but is also very good when taken on its own.
The main ingredients are crispy ikan bilis or anchovies and roasted peanuts mixed in a sweet, spicy, and sticky coating. This is relatively dry dish, almost like spiced nuts as the coating is thick and sticky. Sometimes fried cubed potatoes or tempeh is added to bulk it up.
Tempeh is made from slightly cooked and fermented soy beans which are formed into cakes. Sometimes grains like barley and wild rice are added to it. Unlike tofu, tempeh has a firm texture and a nutty flavor. It is flavorful on its own and can be simply pan fried and eaten. High in proteins, tempeh makes a wonderful substitute for meat. It can be found in the refrigerated section of most health food stores.
I do enjoy tempeh and buy it every now and then. Here are the other recipes using tempeh. Please click on the picture to get to the recipe.
The anchovies, peanuts, and tempeh are all cooked separately. The sauce is then prepared and all cooked ingredients are mixed and coated with the sauce. In Malaysia, most people will either grind their own chili paste or use Chili Boh. Over here, a good substitute is the Korean chili paste, gochujang.
Spicy Anchovies, Peanuts, and Tempeh
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried ikan bilis / anchovies (50g)
- ½ cup raw shelled peanuts (80g)
- 8 oz tempeh (cut into 1½ x 1 x ¼ inch pieces) (225g)
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp gochujang (chili paste)
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 2 tbsp water
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Rinse and drain ikan bilis. Use paper towels to pat dry.
- Roast peanuts in a 350°F (180°C) oven for 12 to 15 minutes until lightly brown. Remove and set aside.
- Heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a non-stick fry pan over medium heat. Place tempeh in a single layer and fry each side for about 4 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Add another tablespoon of vegetable oil. Fry ikan bilis for about 5 to 6 minutes until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil. Cook chili paste for about a minute. Stir in brown sugar, vinegar, water, and salt. Add fried ikan bilis, roasted peanuts, and fried tempeh. Stir to get everything well mixed.
- Remove and serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition
This condiment is usually served at room temperature and is delicious paired with sayur lodeh or Labu Lodeh.
Enjoy…..and have a wonderful day! 😎
Cheah says
I’m surprised that tempeh is available in your area. Your dish is so salivating. How not to drool!
Jeannie says
I am so drooling over this dish, it’s one of my absolute favorite! Amazing you have tempeh there indeed!
The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time says
I’ve never heard of this and never seen tempeh but from what others are saying it must be had to lay hands on. The spicy mixture looks amazing. I’m so surprised to see anchovies in there! 🙂
Biren says
These anchovies are a little different from the ones we find here. These can be fried till crispy and they are very tasty.
Pepy @Indonesia Eats says
Did you get a nice tempe down there? I got tempe here but it’s not as tasty as the one that I used to have in Indonesia 🙁
Biren says
Yes, the tempeh here is pretty good. There are several brands and all are organic. They also comes in different flavors. I buy it often as I do like tempeh.
Shu han says
this reminds of the the roasted ikan bilia (anchovies) and peanuts we have with nasi lemak, fried with sambal chilli!
PolaM says
I love this recipe! It looks great! I’m sure I could munch on this like there was no tomorrow!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
This is mouthwatering and perfect as an appetizer.
Lyndsey@TheTinySkillet says
This sounds so interesting. There are so many dishes that I would like to try from stalls in it’s originating country so I will know what they are supposed to taste like…or better yet maybe I’ll pop on up to your place 🙂
Biren says
You are most welcomed to visit me. Would love to share some dishes with you. 🙂
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
Hi Biren! I have never had Tempeh before! Looks delicious. Love anchovy in it. Lots of calcium too!
Hyosun Ro says
Hi Biren – This is very similar to Korean myulchi bokkeum, especially with gochujang in it. Looks very tasty!
Biren says
Yes, I remember seeing that dish on your blog. 🙂
Marsha @ The Harried Cook says
Oh this looks yummy! I love anchovies and peanuts and this would be perfect for me! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
elisabeth@foodandthrift says
Such an amazing and unusual appetizer, Biren. I love anchovies…but never had them as a combination such as you have made. My kind of appetizer for sure, salty, and spicy:DDD
Blackswan says
Wow, this is good with porridge or as snacks! Love it!
Biren says
Yes…so yummy with rice or porridge!
kitchen flavours says
Love this! Great that you can find tempeh over there! Looks really spicy and delicious!
myfudo says
It will surely be a red hot February… Spicy dishes to break the ice. I find this post very appropriate. Will really try this. Thanks for sharing!
Kitchen Belleicious says
Seriously, you can see the spices oozing out of the photo! LOVELY
Haruna says
karaku oishii!
tigerfish says
I simply love this with steamed rice. Add another fried egg and I will be so happy and satisfied. I like that you pump up the protein by using tempeh
Biren says
You are making me hungry just picturing it. 🙂
Ruby says
Sounds amazingly flavourful – just the kind of thing I’d love with a bowlful of steamed rice. Back in the days when I could have a bowlful of steamed rice. Sigh. Maybe as a treat… I like your share bar on the left there. My previous social media plugin had one but it wouldn’t display properly. I probably had another plugin that was interfering. Anyway, looks great!
Biren says
This is just as wonderful as a snack. In fact, I snacked on about half of it.
So glad to hear you like the share bar. I did do some modifications to it. Love that it floats and does not move up with the page.
Devaki @ weavethousandflavors says
There is NOTHING I love more than Ikan Bilis so this would be heaven in my mouth and I am already thinking of how soon I can go grocery shopping to fix this 🙂 DELISH Biren 🙂
chow 🙂 Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
Curry and Comfort says
This would go so good some rice… YUM! I hope you stopped by and collected your award from 2-8. Hope you like it. 🙂
Biren says
Thanks you so much for thinking of me. Will drop by your blog soon.
Kristi Rimkus says
What a sticky, delicious looking dish. I was just reading about the health benefits of anchovies. Now I must give this a try!
Biren says
Yes, anchovies are full of protein and iodine. These are dried and so they have a long shelf life. I keep them in the fridge.
Haruna says
I like your new side bar icons and also the fantastic pull down menu. So professional! Did you get someone to do it for you?
Biren says
Thank you! No, I did it myself. My current theme does not support WordPress menus and so I had to do some coding to make it work. Coding gives better performance as it eliminates the need to use plugins. Glad I did as it is so much easier for the user to find “older” recipes on the blog. 🙂
Pam says
This looks and sounds delicious! Love the combo of ingredients and it’s on my must try list!
Love2cook says
I’m loving your blog more now..nice and well designed menus!
And the dish…my fav anytime! 😉
Magic of Spice says
What a delightful array of flavors…looks so delicious!