๐ฅ Pradeep's Malaysian Peanut Sauce
๐ฅPradeep's Malaysian Satay Peanut Sauce
A rich, nutty, and beautifully balanced peanut sauce that's essential for Malaysian chicken satay—ideal as its own blog post and perfect for cross-linking!
๐ Ingredients (Makes ~2 cups)
- 1 cup roasted peanuts (skin removed)
- 8–10 dried red chilies, soaked and deseeded
- 1 shallot, roughly chopped
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 stalk lemongrass (white part only), roughly chopped
- ½″ galangal (or ginger if unavailable)
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 tbsp tamarind paste
- 2½ tbsp palm sugar (or brown sugar)
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- ¼ tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1 tbsp kecap manis (optional, adds authentic Malay depth)
- 1 cup water (plus more to adjust consistency)
- Optional: A splash of coconut milk for creaminess
๐ฉ๐ณ Directions
-
Grind the Peanuts
In a food processor, pulse the roasted peanuts lightly—aim for a coarse texture, not peanut butter. -
Blend the Aromatic Paste
Combine chilies, shallot, garlic, lemongrass, and galangal in the processor until smooth. -
Sautรฉ
Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook the aromatic paste for 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant. -
Combine & Simmer
Add ground peanuts, water, tamarind paste, palm sugar, coriander, salt, and kecap manis. Stir till smooth. -
Thicken the Sauce
Simmer gently for 5–10 minutes, stirring often, until it thickens to a dipping consistency. Adjust water as needed. -
Finish (Optional)
Stir in a splash of coconut milk for a richer texture, then remove from heat.
๐จ๐ณ Chef’s Notes
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Layered Flavor: Toasting and sautรฉing aromatics develops a deeply fragrant base .
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Sweet & Tang Balance: Palm sugar and tamarind give that classic sweet-sour-salty harmony, while kecap manis adds savory richness
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Make-Ahead Friendly: Keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days and freezes beautifully
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