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Spice up your meals with this spicy sambal asparagus recipe! This dish combines the bold flavors of sambal sauce with tender asparagus, making it a perfect and tasty vegetable dish for an authentic Malaysian meal at home!
Sambal
Sambal is integral to many iconic Malaysian recipes. At its simplest, sambal is a condiment or chili paste made of chilies and belacan (Malaysian shrimp paste), though recipes may incorporate additional elements such as garlic, shallots, lemongrass, and galangal, tailored to individual tastes.
Traditionally prepared using a mortar and pestle, sambal serves as the essential component in a variety of delicious local dishes: from sambal udang (prawn) to sambal telur (egg), sambal lady’s finger, and beyond.
One of my favorite vegetable stir-fries is spicy Asian asparagus recipe. Today, I’ll show you how to make this easy and delicious dish that rivals your favorite food stall’s version.
Spicy Asparagus
Sambal asparagus is a tasty Malaysian dish where asparagus is stir-fried with a spicy sambal sauce. The sauce adds a flavorful kick to the tender asparagus. It’s a great example of how sambal enhances vegetables, bringing out bold Malaysian flavors.
This is my sambal asparagus recipe, including my homemade sambal recipe. Sambal asparagus is delicious with a lot of depth in its taste and it goes extremely well with steamed white rice. I ended up finishing off two servings of rice with the irresistible sambal sauce. So yummy!
Recipe Ingredients
- Sambal – I always make a big batch of cooked sambal and keep it in the fridge. Malaysian sambal adds a fiery and aromatic punch to any dish it accompanies, be it vegetables, meat, or seafood.
- Asparagus – choose young asparagus as they tend to be more tender with a milder flavor, while older asparagus can be tougher and have a stronger taste.
- Shrimp – look for medium-sized shrimp.
- Fish Sauce – it adds a savory umami flavor and depth to stir-fries, enhancing the overall taste by providing a rich, salty, and slightly sweet undertone to the dish. You may substitute with salt.
- Sugar – balances off the fiery taste of the sambal sauce.
Pro Tip: For the asparagus, I typically trim off 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) from the tough ends of the stems and slice them in half for even cooking. You can also peel the stems with a peeler, though I often skip this step for convenience.
How To Make Sambal Asparagus
Step 1: Rinse the asparagus under water. Trim 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 4 cm) from the tough ends of the stems, then halve the stems lengthwise. Cut the remaining asparagus into 2-inch (5 cm) lengths. Set aside. Heat oil in a wok, then add the sambal. Stir until you smell the spicy aroma of the sambal.
Step 2: Add the shrimp and stir thoroughly to coat them well with the sambal.
Step 3: Add the asparagus, fish sauce, sugar, and water. Continue stir-frying until the asparagus is just cooked through, about 1 minute. Be careful not to overcook. Serve hot.
Helpful Kitchen Tips
Here are some simple tips for making sambal asparagus at home:
- Trim and peel the asparagus as needed for optimal tenderness.
- Adjust the spiciness by varying the amount of sambal or chilies.
- Stir-fry the asparagus briefly to keep it crisp and green.
- Add a splash of fish sauce for depth of flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
To peel asparagus, use a vegetable peeler to remove the tough outer layer from just below the tip downwards towards the end of each spear.
Yes, you can adjust the spiciness by reducing the amount of sambal used.
Yes, absolutely! You can substitute asparagus with other vegetables like green beans, broccoli. You can also make sambal eggplant.
Yes, sambal can be made ahead of time. Store in an air-tight container, and keep in the refrigerator for several weeks.
This recipe is only 24 calories per serving.
What To Serve With Sambal Asparagus
Sambal asparagus goes well with steamed white rice and can also be enjoyed alongside other dishes in a Malaysian-inspired dinner at home. For a complete meal, I recommend pairing it with the following dishes.
I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for new updates.
Other Favorite Asparagus Recipes
Sambal Asparagus
Ingredients
- 12 oz (375g) asparagus
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 1/2 – 2 tablespoons sambal , use 2 tablespoons if you like spicy
- 4 oz (125g) medium-sized shrimp, shelled and deveined
- 1/2 teaspoon fish sauce or salt to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Rinse the asparagus with water. Trim off 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 4 cm) from the tough ends of the stems, then slice the stems in half. Cut the remaining asparagus into 2-inch (5 cm) lengths. Set aside. Heat oil in a wok, then add the sambal. Stir until you smell the spicy aroma of the sambal.
- Add the shrimp and stir thoroughly to coat them well with the sambal.
- Add the asparagus, fish sauce, sugar, and water. Continue stir-frying until the asparagus is just cooked through, about 1 minute. Be careful not to overcook. Serve hot.
Notes
- Traditionally, sambal is prepared fresh or bought ready-made from wet markets in Malaysia, and used immediately for cooking.
- In the US, I prefer making sambal in advance so I can store it in the refrigerator for convenience.
- I use more dried chilies to extend its shelf life. Fresh chilies lend a vibrant red color, whereas dried chilies appear duller.
- Trim and peel the asparagus as needed for optimal tenderness.
- Stir-fry the asparagus briefly to keep it crisp and green.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
do you have a recipe for pork chow main?
Hi, just wondering if you add in blachan? I am not sure with the shallots, in the States they are huge comparung to Asia. So, how much u put in?
Thanks
Just follow the instructions.