The Tempe Obsession

            Let's face it fellas. Tempe is not just delicious. It's seductively inviting; deliciousness to the level of obligatory ingestion. Well in my case at least. I simply can't resist the sight of tempe. Fried, stewed, steamed, dried or even breaded, you name it, I've tried it all. The texture of a tempe is so magical, like biting into cotton candy clouds as they burst like fairy dusts in your mouth while unicorn babies prancing around your head. The soya bean patty that you bite into simply crumble into individual beans and each bean would tickle your oral cavity with it's firm yet delicate flesh.

The tempe is basically made of fermented soya beans formed into patties. The commercialized ones may come wrapped up in banana leaves or conventionally, in plastic wraps. Those that come with the banana leaves are better;  albeit cooked unseasoned, it would have a distinctive flavour on its own unlike the other kind which requires a pinch of turmeric powder or at least salt and pepper or else, it would taste brackish .  The tempe is nutritionally beneficial to us as it is abundant with protein. As the soy beans go through fermentation, they are somewhat fortified with more protein. Which is why tempe these days is a good substitute for meat; a vegetarian/vegan gift from God.

My favourite kind of tempe dishes are those cooked with chili, like sambal, which is a chili paste simmered over low heat and of course, deep fried ones. I've created a few  tempe treats of my own :

1) Breaded deep fried tempe

2) Tempe fritters

These snacks are great for any ocassion! Not only are they tasty, but they surely add a great variety to your whole palette with its crunchy exterior and soft interior! for more info on tempe, google! :P

yours truly,
A.T.