Sambal oelek
Description
The image shows a ceramic bowl with sambal oelek paste. Sambal oelek is a fiery, tangy chili paste that originated in Indonesia. It's a simple blend of fresh red cayenne chiles, salt, a little sugar, and vinegar. The term "sambal" in Indonesian cuisine refers to a chile-based condiment sauce, and there are countless variations. "Oelek" refers to the traditional method of preparation, which involves pounding the chiles in a mortar.