Sambal

In Malaysia, there are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of sambal recipes. It’s our national condiment, and each kitchen has their own, passed down for generations. “Sambal” in Malay refers to chili paste or sauce. Usually, it’s a combination of fresh chili peppers, shallots, ginger, garlic, various spices, and a funky shrimp paste, also known as belacan (pronounced “beh-lah-chan”). Sambal is very versatile. We use it as a marinade, dip, and base ingredient in a dish. So, sam