Brinjal Sambal

Elevate your taste buds with the bold, spicy flavors of Brinjal Sambal, a classic Southeast Asian side dish that brings together tender, golden-fried eggplants and a rich chili-based sambal. This fragrant recipe features fresh and dried red chilies, shallots, garlic, and a tangy touch of tamarind pulp to create a perfectly balanced harmony of heat, sweetness, and sour notes. The brinjals, soaked to remove bitterness and pan-fried to perfection, absorb the vibrant sambal sauce, making every bite irresistibly flavorful. Ready in just 40 minutes, this recipe is a fantastic accompaniment to steamed rice, ideal for anyone looking to explore authentic Malaysian or Indonesian cuisine. Perfect for spice lovers and eggplant enthusiasts alike, this Brinjal Sambal is a must-try for a bold, home-cooked culinary adventure.

Nutriscore Rating: 83/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams Brinjal (eggplant)
• 4 tablespoons Vegetable oil
• 4 medium Shallots
• 4 Garlic cloves
• 3 Red chilies
• 5 Dried red chilies
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons Tamarind pulp
• 1 teaspoon Sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 125 ml Water

Directions

Step 1

Wash and slice the brinjals into thick batons or rounds. Soak them in salted water for 10 minutes to remove bitterness, then drain and pat dry.

Step 2

Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large frying pan. Fry the brinjals in batches until golden and slightly softened. Remove and set aside.

Step 3

In a blender or mortar and pestle, grind the shallots, garlic, fresh red chilies, and dried red chilies into a smooth paste.

Step 4

Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in the pan on medium heat. Add the chili paste and sauté for 5–7 minutes until fragrant and the oil separates from the paste.

Step 5

Stir in the tomato paste, tamarind pulp, sugar, and salt. Mix well.

Step 6

Add the water and let the sambal simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 7

Return the fried brinjals to the pan and gently toss to coat them in the sambal. Cook for another 5 minutes until the flavors meld together.

Step 8

Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Remove from heat and serve warm with rice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1090 grams (1090.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	983

Total Fat 56.70g	73%
Saturated Fat 8.30g	42%
Polyunsaturated Fat 33.60g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1283mg	56%
Total Carbohydrate 124.60g	45%
Dietary Fiber 39.40g	141%
Total Sugars 52.80g
Protein 21.70g	43%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 232mg	18%
Iron 12mg	67%
Potassium 3880mg	83%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.6%

Protein: 7.9%

Carbs: 45.5%