Patricia Tanumihardja

Toasted Shrimp Paste

Terasi Bakar

Preparation info
  • Makes

    8 oz

    toasted shrimp paste
    • Difficulty

      Easy

Appears in
Mortar and Pestle: Classic Indonesian Recipes for the Modern Kitchen
Mortar and Pestle

By Patricia Tanumihardja

Published 2024

  • About

Toasting (or roasting) terasi (shrimp paste) enhances its umami and mellows its pungent odor. You can roast the whole block at one go or just a few slices at a time. I offer a few methods. Pick the one easiest for you.

Ingredients

  • 1 block shrimp paste

Method

Cut as many slices, each ¼ inch (6 mm) thick, as you want from the block of shrimp paste. Open your windows and turn the fan on full blast. Do one of the following:

  • Toast the slices in a dry skillet over medium heat until the shrimp paste lightens in color and becomes very fragrant, 5–10 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking.
  • Wrap in two layers of alu