Balado Shrimp is a flavorful Indonesian dish known for its spicy, tangy, and aromatic profile. The dish is made with shrimp (often medium or large) cooked in a mixture of chili paste, garlic, shallots, and a combination of other spices, which is characteristic of Indonesian Balado seasoning.
Here’s a general overview of how to make Balado Shrimp:
Ingredients:
- Shrimp: Medium or large-sized, peeled and deveined
- Chili peppers: Red bird’s eye chilies (adjust the quantity based on how spicy you want it)
- Garlic: Chopped or minced
- Shallots: Thinly sliced or chopped
- Tomatoes: Usually chopped into small pieces
- Lemongrass: Optional, for extra fragrance
- Kaffir lime leaves: Adds a zesty aroma (optional)
- Sweet soy sauce (Kecap Manis): Adds sweetness and depth of flavor
- Tamarind paste: For tanginess
- Oil: For frying
- Salt: To taste
- Sugar: A small amount for balance
Instructions:
- Prepare the Shrimp: Clean and pat dry the shrimp. You can season them lightly with salt or marinate them briefly with some turmeric and salt if desired.
- Make the Balado Paste:
- Blend together the red chilies, garlic, shallots, and a bit of oil to form a smooth paste. You can adjust the spiciness by adding or reducing the amount of chili.
- Cook the Shrimp:
- Heat oil in a pan and sauté the shrimp until they are cooked through. Remove them from the pan and set aside.
- Cook the Balado Paste:
- In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed and sauté the balado paste (chili, garlic, shallots) over medium heat until fragrant and the oil starts to separate from the paste.
- Add chopped tomatoes, lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves if using. Let the mixture cook until the tomatoes soften and break down.
- Add tamarind paste, sweet soy sauce, salt, and a pinch of sugar. Stir well and adjust seasoning to taste.
- Combine: Add the cooked shrimp back into the pan and toss them in the spicy sauce. Cook for another 2–3 minutes so the shrimp absorbs the flavors.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh cilantro or fried shallots for a crispy texture. Serve the balado shrimp with steamed rice or as part of a larger meal.
Enjoy your Balado Shrimp with the perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and tangy flavors!
