Balinese Spiced Mackerel (Tenggiri Bumbu Bali)

Tenggiri Bumbu Bali (Balinese Spiced Mackerel)

Dive into the vibrant flavors of Balinese cuisine with this mouthwatering Tenggiri Bumbu Bali. This recipe features mackerel, a popular fish in Indonesian cooking, coated in a rich, aromatic spice paste and cooked to perfection. Ideal for a hearty meal that captures the essence of traditional Balinese flavors, this dish is both delicious and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

• 4 mackerel fillets (tenggiri)
• 1 lime (for marinating)
• For the Spice Paste:
  • 3 large red chilies
  • 2 small red chilies
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 5 shallots
  • 3 candlenuts (kemiri)
  • 1/2 inch ginger
• Sweet soy sauce (kecap manis), to taste
• Sugar, to taste
• Salt, to taste
• Cooking oil, for frying

Instructions

1. Prepare the Fish:

   • Clean the mackerel fillets thoroughly. Rub them with lime juice and rinse well to remove any excess lime and fishy odor. Pat dry with paper towels.

2. Fry the Fish:

   • Heat cooking oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the mackerel fillets until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.

3. Make the Spice Paste:

   • Blend the red chilies, small red chilies, garlic, shallots, candlenuts, and ginger into a smooth paste. You can use a food processor or a traditional mortar and pestle for this step.

4. Cook the Spice Paste:

   • In the same pan used for frying the fish, add a little more oil if necessary. Sauté the spice paste over medium heat until fragrant and the oil begins to separate from the paste.

5. Season the Paste:

   • Add salt, sugar, and sweet soy sauce to the spice paste. Stir well and taste. Adjust the seasoning according to your preference.

6. Combine Fish and Spice Paste:

   • Gently add the fried mackerel fillets back into the pan with the spice paste. Toss the fillets to coat them evenly with the sauce. Allow them to simmer for a few minutes to absorb the flavors.

7. Serve:

   • Transfer the spiced mackerel to a serving dish. Garnish as desired and serve hot with steamed rice or your favorite side dishes.

Enjoy the rich and spicy flavors of this Balinese-inspired dish, perfect for impressing family and friends with a taste of Indonesia!