How To Make Tempe Goreng | Indonesian Fried Delicacy

Key Highlights

1. Tempe is a traditional food item from Indonesia that is prepared by fermenting soybeans, which yields a rich, nutty flavor and firm texture. 
2. Tempe Goreng is a popular Indonesian street snack, which is basically deep fried Tempe. It can be made healthier alternatively by air-frying or baking.
3. Tempe is an excellent source of protein, and hence popular in vegan and vegetarian meals.

Tempe Goreng is Indonesia in a nutshell. It is basically a fried snack, but don’t be fooled by it. Tempeh is high in protein and makes a very healthy addition to your diet. Tempeh is a fermented soybean cake and a by-product of tofu making.

This recipe reveals the secrets to the ideal crispy exterior while confirming the tenderness inside your Tempe Goreng. Whether you've been cooking tempeh your whole life or are just arriving in the kitchen, this easy recipe is bound to guide you through how to prepare Tempe Goreng quickly and deliciously!

What is Tempe Goreng?

Fried tempeh literally refers to Tempe Goreng. In reality, Tempe is a traditional food item from Indonesia that is prepared by fermenting soybeans, which yields a rich, nutty flavor and firm texture. 

Tempeh is one of the most versatile ingredients out there. It's a gem to have stocked in your pantry, especially if you’re a vegan or vegetarian or are trying to maintain a high-protein, carb-deficit diet.

While you can have Tempeh in a lot of ways, making it into a crispy, savoury snack that is loved in Indonesia is one of the best ways to make it. A Saucy, crisp and beautiful texture experience makes it healthy and a flavor bomb!

Ingredients Required for Tempe Goreng

Let's get all our ingredients prepped before we begin. Most of these we will know, but for those just finding their way through Indonesian cooking for the first time, a few special purchases will be in order.

Tempe Goreng: How It Is Cooked

I break it down into simple steps for you, so you should be able to do the dish perfectly on the first try in the kitchen.

1. Prepare the Tempeh

Cut the tempeh into very thin slices. The thickness of your slices will determine the level of crisp for your Tempe Goreng-slice pretty thinly about 1/4 inch. 

If that's what you want, you can even soak the tempeh in salted water for about 15 minutes to get rid of bitterness and makes it taste more aromatic.

2. Prepare The Marinade

Take a small bowl. Now let's proceed with the preparation of marinade by mixing together water, crushed garlic, coriander powder, salt, and turmeric powder.

Some added zest to the tempe goreng could be squeezing some fresh lime or lemon.

Allow the tempeh to be marinated for at least 10 minutes so that all its flavors can penetrate very well into the meat.

3. Oil is Heated.

Fry that tempeh in that pan with just enough vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high temperature, about 350°F (175°C). That's a great temperature for crisping out tempeh and losing very little oil.

4. Fry the Tempeh.

Carefully place the marinated sliced tempeh pieces in hot oil, not crowding the pan.

Fry the tempeh 2-3 min on each side, until it is golden brown and crunchy; it won't burn, but if it is browning too quickly reduce the heat.

Once fried, transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain out excess oils.

Tips For The Perfect Tempe Goreng

• Fresh Tempeh vs Old Tempeh: The taste of the fresher tempeh will be more savory while if your tempeh has been in the fridge for some time it gets sour.
• Oil Temperature: The oil needs to be regulated during frying tempeh because if it is heated to the boiling point, it will burn very fast. If the oil gets too low, then the tempeh does not crisp up.
• Add additional elements: For a richer flavor profile, add pan-fried shallots, chili flakes, or sweet soy sauce, and kecap manis to the dish of tempeh. Each adds an element designed to capture the quintessential tastes of Indonesian street food.

Alternative Healthy Ways Of Cooking Tempe Goreng

If you want to do a healthier version of Tempe Goreng and skip the deep-frying method, here are some alternatives for you:

Air Fryer Tempe Goreng

• Have your air-fryer pre-heated to a temperature around 180°C/350°F.
• Cut several pieces of tempeh and place them in the air fryer basket, lightly sprinkling cooking oil over pieces.
• Air  Fry over medium heat until golden brown for 10-12 minutes, turning once midway through, and very crispy.

Fried Baked Tempe

• Preheat oven to 400°F or 200°C. 
• Place parchment paper on a baking sheet and line the tempeh slices in one layer on that sheet. 
• Bake in a tin until golden brown and crispy 20-25 minutes, turning once halfway through.

Serving Suggestions For Tempe Goreng

Tempe goreng deserve various beautiful ways of enjoyment. The dish which is gorgeous, standing out as a snack and as an appetizer, though, it goes well with many other dishes in Indonesia. Here are some suggestions on serving it:

• Sambal Sauce: You might want to add sambal to elevate Tempe Goreng; to cut it short, extremely spicy and heavenly chili sauce. 
• Steaming Rice: It can be served over a steamed rice bed with stir-fried vegetables and crowned with a perfectly fried egg in a nice rice bowl.
• In Salads: As a salad topper, tempe goreng elevates a fresh salad to both have protein and a satisfying crunch. 
• With peanut sauce: Enjoy over a rich peanut sauce for decadent peanut flavor. 

Conclusion

Tempe Goreng is an excellent choice for vegan and calorie-deficit diets. Although this method of having tempe requires a lot of deep frying, the alternative cooking methods make it healthier. A high source of protein, it makes a great alternative to the normal sources found in meat and eggs.

Tempe is also a great probiotic due to its flavour development in the fermentation process. It is packed with calcium, iron, magnesium, and other vital minerals and vitamins. You can cook Tempe in any way or form. In fact, the recipe of Tempe Goreng itself is quite versatile, and if you want to experiment with the original recipe, you could also do that.