Sambal belacan is a must-have Malaysian condiment and the key ingredients for many delicious Malaysian recipes. In this sambal belacan recipe, you will find step-by-step photos and detailed method on how to make sambal belacan.
Sambal is a common condiment in Southeast Asia and India. Sambal is basically a concoction of chilies and spices. Sambal is used in many Southeast Asian and Indian dishes, to add heat and flavors to local dishes. Sambal can also be made into sambal sauce, which is great on protein such as chicken, fish or shrimp.
What is Sambal Belacan?
Sambal belacan is the Malaysian version of sambal. Sambal belacan consists of chilies, belacan (Malaysian shrimp paste), calamansi lime (limau kasturi), salt and sugar. In the United States, calamansi lime is scarce so lime can be used as a substitute. However, calamansi lime is best for sambal as it adds amazing aroma and nuance to sambal belacan.
Belacan is the most important ingredient in sambal belacan. You have to toast the belacan in a skillet or wok like the picture below. The belacan should be toasted until it becomes dry and toasty, into tiny granules.
Sambal belacan as a condiment is something that I can’t do without. I eat my rice and noodles with it, and some Malaysian dishes such as my favorite sweet and sour eggs (masak belanda), Penang char hor fun, grilled fish with banana leaves are amazing with sambal belacan.
To make the best sambal belacan, you need a mortar and pestle like the picture below. You have to pound the ingredients by hand until it forms a nice and watery texture.
Here is how sambal belacan looks like. It’s red with a slightly runny texture, sort of like a sambal sauce. Use the condiment immediately or you may keep it in the fridge for a couple of days. You may freeze it for a longer period and thaw to room temperature before using it.
Recipes that Goes Well with Sambal Belacan:
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sharon yang
What brand of sambal do you use?
Lynn
Hi, I notice that you don’t cook the sambal belacan. Will it be acceptable to cook or boil it?
Rasa Malaysia
Yes it’s served uncooked. You don’t have to cook or boil it.
Sharon
Can I freeze sambal belacan asparagus?
Rasa Malaysia
You can freeze the belacan but not the asparagus.
Rida Sofa
it looks like a very intriguing sambel appetite and makes us like to add rice ,, good belacan is from shrimp choice and without preservative