Indonesian Gurame Fish Soup with Aromatic Herbs

Sop Ikan Gurame: A Flavorful Indonesian Fish Soup

Discover the essence of Indonesian cuisine with this delectable Sop Ikan Gurame, a traditional fish soup that combines fresh ingredients and aromatic spices for a hearty and satisfying meal. This recipe highlights the unique flavors of gurame fish, complemented by a medley of vegetables and herbs, making it a perfect choice for a comforting lunch or dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 Gurame fish (cleaned and gutted)
• 1 carrot (sliced into 2-inch pieces)
• For the spice paste:
  • 7 shallots (finely ground)
  • 2 garlic cloves (finely ground)
  • 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger (smashed)
  • 1 thumb-sized piece of galangal (smashed)
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 kaffir lime leaves
• 1 stalk lemongrass (smashed)
• 1 spring onion (chopped)
• 1 stalk celery (chopped)
• 1 ripe tomato (cut into wedges)
• 5 bilimbi fruit (sliced) – Alternatively, you can use tamarind if bilimbi is not available.
• 10 small red chilies (stemmed)
• Salt (to taste)
• Sugar (to taste)
• Fried shallots (for garnish)

Steps:

1. Prepare the Spice Paste:

   • In a mortar and pestle or food processor, finely grind the shallots and garlic cloves to create a smooth paste.

2. Sauté the Spice Paste:

   • Heat a bit of oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the ground shallots and garlic paste, cooking until fragrant.

3. Add Liquid and Vegetables:

   • Pour in enough water to cover the ingredients, and bring to a gentle simmer. Add the carrot pieces and cook until they are tender.

4. Season the Soup:

   • Season with salt and sugar to taste. Stir well to incorporate the flavors.

5. Cook the Fish:

   • Gently place the gurame fish into the pot. Allow the fish to cook through, which should take a few minutes depending on the size of the fish.

6. Add Additional Ingredients:

   • Once the fish is cooked, add the bay leaves, kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, spring onion, celery, tomato wedges, bilimbi slices, and red chilies. Cook until the vegetables are tender and the flavors meld together.

7. Final Touches:

   • Adjust the seasoning if necessary, then remove from heat.

8. Serve:

   • Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with fried shallots, and serve hot.

Enjoy the delightful blend of flavors and textures in this traditional Indonesian fish soup, perfect for warming up on a cool day or impressing guests with a unique and delicious dish.