Jakarta (ANTARA) – Sambal rica-rica is one of the typical dishes from various sambals in the archipelago. This chili sauce is famous for its spicy taste and appetizing spice aroma.
This dish originates from the Manado area, North Sulawesi, which is home to various spicy Indonesian dishes. The word “rica” in Manadonese means “chili” or “spicy.” However, most people know it better as a dish called rica-rica Manado.
In this area, sambal rica-rica is used as the main seasoning for various types of animal protein such as chicken, fish and beef. Rica-rica seasoning is known for its characteristic strong spicy taste, which comes from a mixture of chopped red chilies, cayenne peppers, garlic, shallots, lime juice, salt and sugar.
All these ingredients are mashed and then sautéed in coconut oil, adding lemongrass, lime leaves, and often basil leaves to enrich the aroma and taste.
The history of sambal rica-rica is closely related to the culinary culture of the Minahasa people, who really like spicy food and have strong flavors.
Apart from that, the presence of chilies in Minahasa was influenced by the spice trade in Indonesia, which introduced chilies as one of the main cooking ingredients.
Even though it originates from Manado, gradually, rica-rica has become one of the popular chili sauces in Indonesia which has spread throughout the archipelago, especially through KNIL soldiers from Manado who served on the island of Java during the colonial period.
Starting from there, rica-rica spice became known on the island of Java and spread widely among the people of Java Island, up to the archipelago. Currently, sambal rica-rica has undergone many variations. In some areas, especially on the island of Java, this chili sauce is modified, because Javanese people tend to like a taste that is less spicy and sweeter. So this chili sauce is not the same as the original rica-rica seasoning from Manado.
Sambal rica-rica is often served as a main dish or complement at certain events, and has now become part of the archipelago’s valuable culinary wealth and is often found in typical Manado restaurants or restaurants.
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Rica-rica chili sauce recipe
Ingredients
• 10 curly red chilies (according to spicy taste)
• 5 red bird’s eye chilies (according to spicy taste)
• 6 red onions
• 4 cloves of garlic
• 1 red tomato (optional)
• 1 stalk of lemongrass or citronella
• 3 lime leaves
• 1 segment of ginger
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp granulated sugar
• lime juice (as needed)
How to make rica-rica chili sauce
1. Wash the onions, all chilies, tomatoes, lime leaves and lemongrass
2. Fry all the chilies, onions, tomatoes over low heat and a little oil
3. Coarsely grind or grind the fried ingredients
4. Then stir-fry the ground spices again until fragrant.
5. Add lemongrass, lime leaves and ginger to the stir fry. Stir well until the spices are cooked perfectly and give off a delicious aroma.
6. Add salt, sugar and lime juice. Stir well, taste and adjust the taste.
7. Rica-rica chili sauce is ready to be served as a complement to the dish
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Reporter: Sean Anggiatheda Sitorus
Editor: Maria Rosari Dwi Putri
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