A quick post for this yummy salsa dip, Indonesian style! Featuring the infamous Sweet Soy Sauce.

Indonesian dishes are often enriched by sweet soy sauce (kecap manis), which is basically soy sauce sweetened by palm sugar. The main ingredients are palm sugar, water, salt, soya bean, wheat, sodium benzoate (0.01%).

This soy sauce is used for marinades, condiment and substitute for any stir-frying dishes needs any sweet kick. Very dark in color and as thick as molasses, it gives dishes the caramelized color.

You can substitute it with equal parts of soy sauce and brown sugar stirred together till the sugar melts completely. Not as good, of course, but it will do!

For the dunking partner, try fried beancurd, cucumber and celery sticks, chips, or french fries! Go dip and dunk with this easy recipe for exotic condiment!

Sambal Kecap

Makes 1 cup

Ingredients:

1/8 cup Thai's bird's eye chili
1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
1/2 tomato, seeded and cubed
3 tbsp sweet soy sauce (Indonesian brand preferred)
5 tbsp deep fried shallot flakes
Juice of 1/2 lime

Directions:

In a spice grinder, grind the chili in quick pulse for 2 seconds
Mix all other ingredients together in a serving bowl
Serve immediately.

Notes:
To reduce the fiery note, cut the chili length wise and remove the seeds before grinding.
Don't mix shallot flakes if not going to be served immediately. They will be soggy and unsightly.
Refrigerate well.