sambal

[sahm-bahl]

noun

a condiment or side dish of Indonesia, Malaysia, and southern India, made with any of various ingredients, as vegetables, fish, or coconut, usually seasoned with chili peppers and spices and served with rice and curries.

Origin of sambal

< Malay < Tamil campāl kind of relish, condiment, akin to campāram ingredients for curry, Telugu sambhāram preparation of spices for seasoning, Marathi sā̃bhar seasoning for dal, all ultimately reflecting Prakrit saṃbhārei (he) garnishes, Sanskrit saṃbhārayati (he) causes to be brought together, derivative with sam- syn- and bhṛ- to bear¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for sambal

Contemporary Examples of sambal

He's a very versatile cook, as much at home with sambal olek as he is with good old British nursery puddings.
Fresh Picks
Melissa Clark
September 14, 2010
But the spicy peanut sauce, also known as sambal kacang, reminds you that this is food for adults.
What to Eat: Southeast-Asian Menu
Cookstr.com
January 12, 2010

Historical Examples of sambal

I crossed the river at Sambal, and stopped near the village Gounde, where I procured relay horses.
The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ
Nicolas Notovitch