Ikan Tongkol Cuwe Cabe Ijo
Ingredients:
- 5 pieces of skipjack tuna (ikan tongkol), cleaned and cut into serving sizes
- Spices:
- 10 shallots (bawang merah), finely sliced
- 7 cloves of garlic (bawang putih), minced
- 10 large green chilies (cabe ijo besar), sliced
- 5 bird’s eye chilies (cabe rawit ijo), sliced
- 5 green tomatoes (tomat ijo), quartered
- Fresh galangal (laos), curry leaves (daun salam), and kaffir lime leaves (daun jeruk) to taste
- Oyster sauce (saos tiram), sweet soy sauce (kecap manis), salt, palm sugar, and granulated sugar to taste
Preparation Steps:
-
Prepare the Fish:
Start by rinsing the skipjack tuna pieces with hot water and let them sit for about 15 minutes. Afterward, carefully wash them with cold water to ensure they remain intact. -
Cook the Fish:
Heat oil in a frying pan and fry the skipjack tuna until cooked through and golden brown. Remove and set aside. -
Prepare the Aromatics:
While the fish is frying, slice the shallots and garlic. Also, slice the large green chilies and bird’s eye chilies, and quarter the green tomatoes. -
Sauté the Aromatics:
In the same pan used for frying the fish, sauté the sliced shallots until fragrant, then add the minced garlic. Cook until the garlic is golden. -
Add the Spices:
Once the shallots and garlic are aromatic, add the sliced green chilies, galangal, curry leaves, and kaffir lime leaves. Stir well to combine. -
Incorporate the Fish:
Gently add the fried skipjack tuna into the sautéed spice mixture. Mix well to coat the fish evenly with the spices. -
Add Liquid and Seasoning:
Pour in enough water to create a light sauce, stirring gently. Once the mixture reaches a boil, add the oyster sauce, sweet soy sauce, palm sugar, and salt to your preferred sweetness and taste. -
Finish with Tomatoes:
Finally, add the quartered green tomatoes and stir until combined. -
Serve:
Once everything is well-mixed and the tomatoes are slightly softened, turn off the heat. Your Ikan Tongkol Cuwe Cabe Ijo is now ready to be served.
This vibrant and flavorful dish, bursting with the rich tastes of green chilies and aromatic spices, makes for a delightful meal that pairs beautifully with steamed rice. Enjoy this unique culinary experience that showcases the beloved flavors of Indonesian cuisine!
