Food Glossary: Sambal

Sambal is the chilli based salsa/sauce that accompanies many dishes as well as being used as a cooking sauce and base for many Indonesian dishes.  Traditionally made by pounding together the ingredients in a pestal and mortar although you can also buy some smoother condiment versions of sambal also.  I prefer the fresh home-made variety and it also allows you to control how spicy it is.  I was taught to make it using chilli's, tomato, shallots, garlic, shrimp paste, salt and pepper.