Telur Balado Salad is a creative modern twist on Telur Balado, a beloved Indonesian dish that traditionally features hard-boiled eggs coated in a spicy and aromatic sambal (chili sauce). This adaptation combines the bold, fiery flavors of Balado with a lighter, refreshing salad base, offering a contrast of textures and temperatures that make it exceptionally unique.
Origins of Telur Balado
The term Balado originates from the Minangkabau people of West Sumatra, Indonesia. It refers to a spicy sauce made primarily from chili peppers, shallots, garlic, tomato, and lime juice, all sautéed together to create a flavorful mixture. The Minangkabau people—known for their rich, spice-laden cuisine—commonly use Balado sauce with various ingredients such as fish (Ikan Balado), beef, prawns, and even eggplants. However, Telur Balado (Balado eggs) is one of the simplest yet most popular ways to enjoy this fiery sambal.
This dish is widely enjoyed across Indonesia, particularly as an everyday home-cooked meal. The fried or boiled eggs absorb the spicy sauce beautifully, making them a delicious and convenient option frequently paired with steamed white rice.
Modern Interpretation: Telur Balado Salad
While the authentic Telur Balado is typically served with rice, this salad version introduces a fresh and crunchy component to balance the spiciness of the sambal. Instead of just being a fiery, saucy dish, the salad includes lettuce, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes, offering a cooling effect that complements the heat. The fried shallots sprinkled on top bring in a nutty flavor and crispy texture, enhancing the overall dish.
This modern fusion is ideal for those looking for a lighter alternative to the traditional rice-based dish while still appreciating the depth of Indonesian flavors. Bringing together crispy fried eggs and fresh greens makes it suitable as a standalone meal or side dish.
Key Flavor Elements
The beauty of this dish lies in its layered flavors:
The sambal: Spicy, tangy, savory, and slightly sweet from the tomatoes and sugar
The eggs: Golden brown with crispy edges, providing creaminess once you bite into them
The vegetables: Refreshing, hydrating, and slightly crunchy, balancing out the heat of the sambal
For those who prefer a milder salad, the heat can be adjusted by reducing the number of red chilies or deseeding them before blending. Additionally, for extra richness, avocados can be added to provide a creamy contrast to the spice.
Why Try This Dish?
Telur Balado Salad is perfect for those who love bold, spicy dishes but also seek a healthy and vibrant meal. It’s also a great way to introduce Indonesian cuisine in a lighter and more contemporary form, making it accessible to a broader audience.
So whether you’re a long-time fan of Indonesian food or just looking for something new and exciting to try, this Telur Balado Salad brings the perfect balance of heat, freshness, and texture to your plate!
Indonesian Spicy Egg Salad (Telur Balado Salad)
Equipment
- 1 Frying pan
- 1 Blender or mortar and pestle
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 Knife
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Slotted spoon
Ingredients
For the eggs and sambal sauce
- 4 large eggs Preferably free-range
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil For frying the eggs
- 6 medium red chilies Adjust spice level to preference
- 2 small shallots Thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic Minced
- 1 medium tomato Chopped
- 1 tbsp lime juice Freshly squeezed
- 1 tsp salt Adjust to taste
- 1 tsp sugar To balance the heat
For the salad
- 2 cups lettuce Roughly chopped
- ½ cup cucumber Thinly sliced
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes Halved
- 1 tbsp fried shallots For garnish
Instructions
- Heat 2 tbsp of vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the eggs until crispy on the edges but with a soft yolk. Remove and set aside.
- Blend or pound the red chilies, shallots, garlic, and tomato into a rough paste using a blender or a mortar and pestle.
- In the same pan, heat additional oil if needed, then sauté the chili paste over medium heat until fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Add lime juice, salt, and sugar. Stir to combine and let it cook for another 2 minutes.
- Gently coat the fried eggs with the sambal sauce.
- Arrange the lettuce, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes on a plate.
- Place the spicy eggs over the salad and top with fried shallots.
Notes
- For a milder version, deseed the chilies before blending.
- You can also add sliced avocados for a creamier texture.