Sambal Ciganea (Chili sauce a la Ciganea)

~English translation below~

Sambal Ciganea sebetulnya adalah sambal yang dijual di warung makan yang konon berasal dari Ciganea, Purwakarta, Jawa Barat. Yang sering melintasi jalan tol trans Jawa pasti kenal nama RM Ibu Haji Ciganea, Rumah Makan Ciganea, dan beberapa Ciganea lainnya. Pada umumnya mereka menjual menu yang sama: gorengan ayam, ikan, tahu, tempe, dengan sambal yang khas rasanya, dibuat dadakan setiap dipesan pengunjung.

Rasanya campuran pedas, asam, manis, dan gurih. Sangat menyegarkan jika disantap dengan hidangan yang digoreng dan nasi putih.

Terus terang eike amat sangat suka sambal yang mereka hidangkan. Sayangnya, in my humble opinion, rasanya ga selalu stabil. Kadang enak, kadang ya gitu deh. Dan tidak selalu fresh.

Maka ketika suatu saat ketemu reel di Instagram tentang resep Sambal Ciganea, of course la ya eike mau recook dengan beberapa penyesuaian. Hasilnya mantap jiwa, but for my own taste. Jangan lupa coba juga ya.

Sambal Ciganea

Bahan:

5 buah cabe rawit

2 siung bawang putih

2 siung bawang merah

1 sdt terasi (sesuai selera)

1/4 buah tomat ukuran besar (sesuaikan ukuran tomat)

1 buah asam jawa, dilarutkan dengan 2-3 sdm air panas

Garam secukupnya

Gula merah secukupnya

Cara membuat:

1. Haluskan semua bahan. Koreksi rasa. Sambal siap dihidangkan.

Sangat mudah bukan? 😄

---

Ciganea sambal is actually a chili sauce sold in food stalls originated from Ciganea, Purwakarta, Jawa Barat, Indonesia. Those who often cross the Trans Java toll road will definitely know the names of RM Ibu Haji Ciganea, Rumah Makan Ciganea, and several other Ciganea restos. In general, they sell the same menu: fried chicken, fish, tofu, tempeh, with a distinctive chili sauce, made immediately after each visitor orders.

The flavor is mixed of spicy, heat, sour, sweet, and savory. Extra refreshing when you have it with fried food and white rice.

Frankly, I really, really likes the chili sauce they serve. Unfortunately, in my humble opinion, it doesn't always feel stable. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's ... you know ... like that. 🙂 And not always fresh.

So one day I came across a reel on Instagram about the Ciganea Sambal recipe, of course I wanted to recook it with a few adjustments. The results are soulful, but for my taste. Don't forget to try it too.

Chili Sauce a la Ciganea

Ingridients:

5 cayenne peppers

2 cloves of garlic

2 small shallots

1 tsp shrimp paste (to taste)

1/4 large tomato (adjust the size of the tomato)

1 tamarind fruit, dissolved in 2-3 tablespoons hot water

Salt to taste

Brown sugar to taste (you can use white sugar, but brown sugar will give the best taste)

How to make:

Blend all ingredients. Taste and adjust if needed. The chili sauce is ready to be served.

Very easy isn't it? 😄 hope you'll like it. Lemme know if you tried it.