Balado sauce

Ingredients

• 5–6 shallots, chopped 
• 1 medium tomato, chopped 
• 300 g red chillies, roughly chopped (long or small chillies, depending on desired strength, can be mixed) 
• 1 lime, juiced
• 2 tbsp salt 
• 3 tbsp sugar 
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil 
• handful of petai ("smelly beans") (optional) 

This quantity of balado is sufficient for 1 kg meat, seafood or vegetables.

Instructions

In a blender, blend tomato and shallots for 5 seconds, then add chilli.

Continue blending briefly to a coarse paste.

Heat wok over medium heat, add vegetable oil, and stir-fry the paste, add sugar and salt.

Lower temperature slightly, and stir occasionally for 10–15 minutes, until the chilli becomes fragrant, mixture thickens a little and the colour has changed to deep red.

Add lime juice to taste.

Petai can be added at this stage if desired.

Suitable for: Fried prawns, squid, fish (whole or cutlets), chicken, fried boiled eggs, eggplant, tofu, tempeh or potatoes.

For eggs or tofu, sauce should be used as a spread or topping.

Balado prawns (udang balado)

Shell green prawns, leaving tail intact.

Deep-fry briefly, remove from oil and drain on paper towel.

Heat balado in a wok and stir fry prawns and petai (if using).

Serve with sliced Lebanese cucumbers.