Spread remaining frosting in a thick layer over top and sides of cake.
This sambal was powerful and almost overwhelmingly refreshing—an ideal complement to a fatty marinated pork dish beloved by North Sumatra's Batak tribes.The 8.5 million indigenous Batak people are a mix of Christians and Muslims, but many retain traditional religious beliefs, with a special emphasis on the power of the number three: three primary gods, three primary colors (red, white, and black), and three flavors—spicy, salty, and sour.
"These three flavors are fundamental to our society," said Rahung Nasution, a Batak chef and adventurer who led me through the region.I ate this sambal over and over again, nowhere more satisfyingly than with breakfast at a market stall on the shores of Lake Toba, where a man grilled slabs of pork belly, basting them with butter from a can.Genius.. After two weeks, I formed a theory: that in a nation as vast and varied as Indonesia, sambal functioned as a uniting principle, perhaps the only thing some groups had in common.
William Wongso wasn't so sure."This is a local wisdom," he cautioned.
"Every place has their own, and one might not like it."
Still, he noted, Indonesians had just started to travel domestically, and they seemed eager to try new flavors.Transfer the beans to a platter, top with the almond crumble and serve.. Make Ahead.
The crumble can be stored in an airtight container overnight..freshly squeezed.
chopped thyme leaves.—shelled and deveined, tails left on.
(Editor: Slim Cameras)