Peanut Sauce (Sambal Kacang)
There are as many ways to make peanut sauce as there are sambals, but the most obvious differences are between those made with peanut butter and those made from scratch using raw peanuts fried in hot oil. I asked many Indonesians why so many of their recipes use peanut butter if the authentic way is better. “For Westerners!” they all answered. My Australian mother loves to make a quick peanut butter satay sauce, so I do feel an affinity for the Western way, but it really is worth the extra effort to deep-fry the peanuts, as it gives a nuttier depth of flavor and a darker color.In Timorese communities where oil is scarce, peanuts are dry-roasted in woks filled with hot sand from the beach, the heat of the sun and sand turning the peanuts a lovely golden brown. You can also roast peanuts in the oven, which produces a result nearly as good as the fried version, but for me, deep-fried is best. However, I have provided an alternative that uses peanut butter, to tip my hat to all the home cooks out there who love a good shortcut.
