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Tahu telur
Tahu telur Surabaya: a tall tofu-and-egg omelette with bean sprouts and sweet peanut sauce
Tahu telur is a night-market favourite in Surabaya, East Java: cubes of tofu are stirred into beaten egg and fried in a small wok so the omelette rises into a thick, crisp-edged tower. It is topped with bean sprouts, cucumber and a dark sauce of peanuts and sweet soy. Sellers in Surabaya stir shrimp paste (petis) into the sauce; this vegetarian version uses a little extra garlic and kecap manis instead. Eat with rice or lontong for a filling supper. Chef's tip: use a small, deep pan so the egg piles up around the tofu instead of spreading thin.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 2
Ingredients
For the omelette
For the sauce
To serve
Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Pat 9 oz firm tofu dry. Heat 2 tbsp of the 4 tbsp vegetable oil in a small deep frying pan over a medium-high heat and fry the tofu for 5 minutes, turning, until golden on most sides. Lift out.
5 minStep 2: Grind 2 cloves garlic, 1 bird's eye chilli and 2 ⅛ oz roasted peanuts to a coarse paste, then stir in 3 tbsp kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), ¼ cup hot water and ½ lime until the sauce is pourable.
4 minStep 3: Beat 4 eggs with ½ tsp salt and 2 spring onions, then stir in the fried tofu.
1 minStep 4: Heat the rest of the 4 tbsp vegetable oil in the same pan over a medium heat until shimmering. Pour in the egg and tofu and push the edges towards the centre with a spatula so the omelette builds up thick. Cook for 3–4 minutes, until the base is deep golden and crisp at the rim and you hear a steady sizzle. Common mistake: too low a heat; the egg soaks up oil and turns rubbery instead of puffing.
4 minStep 5: Turn it over with the help of a plate and cook 2 minutes more, until the centre feels springy. Slide onto a plate, pile 2 ⅞ oz bean sprouts and ½ cucumber on top, spoon over the sauce and scatter 2 tbsp fried shallots.
2 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 520 kcal
- Protein
- 30 g
- Carbs
- 18 g
- Fat
- 37 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does tahu telur take?
- About 25 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 2 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of eggs?
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg, left for 5 minutes (baking only; vegan).
- What can I use instead of spring onions?
- Chives, or a little finely sliced onion.
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