Sambal Matah (Balinese Raw Shallot and Lemongrass Sambal)
In short: A raw Balinese relish of thinly sliced shallot, lemongrass, chili and lime leaf, wilted with hot coconut oil and lime juice, for grilled fish and chicken. It takes about 17 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 2 min
- Total
- 17 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 82 kcal
Sambal matah is the fresh, raw sambal of Bali. Matah means raw, and nothing is ground or cooked: shallots, lemongrass, chilies and kaffir lime leaf are sliced paper-thin, then lightly wilted with hot coconut oil and a squeeze of lime. The result is bright, crunchy and citrusy, and it goes well with grilled fish, fried chicken and sate lilit. Make it just before serving.
Instructions
- Combine the shallots, lemongrass, both chilies and lime leaves in a heatproof bowl and toss with your fingers.
- Heat the oil in a small pan for about 2 minutes, until it shimmers and a slice of shallot sizzles at once.
- Pour the hot oil over the shallot mixture and stir. It should sizzle and soften slightly.
- Add the lime juice and salt and mix well. Taste and adjust the salt and lime.
- Let it stand for 10 minutes so the flavors blend, then serve the same day with grilled fish, chicken or rice.
Tips
- Slice everything as thin as you can with a sharp knife. Thick pieces taste raw and harsh instead of fresh and fragrant.
- Use coconut oil for the most authentic Balinese flavor, and pour it while it is still shimmering so the shallots wilt slightly instead of staying fully raw.
Questions and answers
How long does sambal matah keep?
Best the day it is made. It keeps for 1 day in the fridge, but the shallots soften and lose their crunch. Make a fresh batch if you can.
Is sambal matah very spicy?
It can be. Use 2 or 3 bird's eye chilies for mild heat, or leave them out and use only long red chilies for color.
What can I use instead of lemongrass?
Use the zest of 1 lime and extra lime leaf. The lemongrass gives its distinctive floral note, so try to find it fresh or frozen.
How long does it take to make Sambal Matah (Balinese Raw Shallot and Lemongrass Sambal)?
About 17 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 2 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Sambal Matah (Balinese Raw Shallot and Lemongrass Sambal)?
About 82 kcal per serving, with 1 g of protein, 5 g of carbohydrates and 7 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 82 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 5 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 250 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
