Sambal Oelek

[tricky1962]

I would appreciate some help from the Dutch/Indonesian contingent here if possible.

Back in the 70s, my father worked in Holland for weeks/months at a time and took a liking to the sambal oelek. He used to buy the Conimex stuff. I seem to remember that at the time it came in small (must be 50/75g) glass jars of thick dark paste. He would like some more.

I've bought him the latest Conimex stuff, but he thinks it a poor imitation of what he remembers (a bit like the Patak's Lime pickle fiasco of the early 21st century). The latest condiment seems to be more liquid, less paste.

I've searched the www for an equivalent, but have had no luck, therefore I wondered if any of you recalled the early stuff and had a current source.

Thanking in advance

[motco]

From Wing Yip but not listed there currently. Amazon has it though.

Edited by motco on Saturday 29th September 18:37

[tricky1962]

Thanks. I'll give it a go, but I don't think it's what he remembers.

For a start, the jar is too large and it looks like a chutney more than a paste.

However, I'm prepared to experiment

[pteron]

Please please please someone answer! I bought some Sambal Oelek from the local Asian supermarket, came in a plastic jar with a green lid.

No kick whatsoever - could probably put the whole jar in a Mi Goreng and barely notice it. The stuff I used to get, a teaspoon would blow your head off!

[tricky1962]

I think that's what he is missing..

[motco]

The Lucullus stuff is pretty hot. A teaspoon in a two portion Nasi Goreng certainly is noticeable; a dessertspoonful would be hot. It is thick, not liquid. It reminded me of the stuff I've eaten in Kuala Lumpur.

[djc206]

They sell a version in Waitrose but I’ve never tried it.

Is this the stuff you remember?

[tricky1962]

Thanks for all your responses, but they are not what he remembers.

This stuff was a dark paste, not a chilli sauce.

[anonymous-user]

Singapore groceries - find the one you want and then look for a UK supplier (maybe Japan centre...)

https://redmart.com/search/Sambal

[zb]

I used to get this a few years ago when Tesco superstores had an international section. Disappeared one week and I haven't saw it since, this was at least 7 years ago.

[zb]

tricky1962 said:

Thanks for all your responses, but they are not what he remembers.

This stuff was a dark paste, not a chilli sauce.

I wouldn't get caught up on the consistency i.e. paste or more of a "jam". Knowing I have a liking for heat, it was a Malaysian co-worker that suggested I try Fox's.

[zb]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Difficult to explain. Has a real nice heat to it. Not so much you want to dip your tongue in milk, yet better than your common UK kebab sauce.

[wisbech]

We make it at home, it really is one of the most basic Sambal (Indonesian wife)

use mortar & pestle to grind raw chillis with seeds with a teaspoon of salt into a paste

That’s it. How hot it is depends on your choice of chilli. You could add (for example) garlic, shallots, shrimp paste, green mango, parboil the ingredients first, fry the ingredients first, etc etc. (all of which change the taste) but then technically it would be one of the other 100’s of sambal not ulek

(getting two Indonesians to agree on how to make, and what it the best sambal is pretty much impossible...).

[pteron]

djc206 said:

They sell a version in Waitrose but I’ve never tried it.

Is this the stuff you remember?

That's the one that has no kick whatsoever.