Balado Lele Goreng: A Flavorful Indonesian Fried Catfish with Spicy Sauce
Ingredients:
- 500 grams fresh catfish, cleaned thoroughly
- Cooking oil (as needed for frying)
- 1 teaspoon powdered broth (optional)
- Salt (to taste)
- Water (as needed)
For the Spicy Sauce:
- 25 red curly chilies
- 4 shallots
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ ripe tomato
Instructions:
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Prepare the Catfish: Begin by heating a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the cleaned catfish and fry until both sides are golden brown and cooked through. Once done, remove the fish from the pan and let it drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
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Make the Spicy Sauce: In the same pan, add about 5 tablespoons of fresh cooking oil. Once heated, add the blended mixture of red curly chilies, shallots, garlic, and ripe tomato. Sauté the spice blend until it becomes fragrant and the oil begins to separate from the mixture.
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Add Seasonings: Next, pour in some water, followed by the powdered broth and salt. Stir well to combine all the ingredients and let it cook until the sauce thickens and the water has evaporated.
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Combine with Catfish: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Then, gently add the fried catfish back into the pan, stirring carefully to coat each piece with the spicy sauce without breaking the fish.
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Serve: Once everything is well combined and heated through, remove the dish from the heat. Serve the Balado Lele Goreng warm, ideally with steamed rice and your favorite side dishes.
Enjoy this delightful Balado Lele Goreng, where the crispy catfish meets a robust and spicy sauce, making for a truly satisfying meal that captures the essence of Indonesian cuisine!
