Tumis Tongkol with Spicy Tomato Sauce
Tumis tongkol, or stir-fried mackerel, is a delicious Indonesian dish that combines the bold flavors of fresh tomatoes, spicy chilies, and fragrant shrimp paste. The tender mackerel absorbs all the tangy, spicy goodness, making it a perfect dish to serve with steamed rice. Below, you’ll find the full recipe with step-by-step instructions for a delightful and flavorful meal.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Mackerel (tongkol) pieces | 10 slices |
| Shallots (bawang merah) | 6 cloves, thinly sliced |
| Garlic (bawang putih) | 1 clove, minced |
| Tomato | 1 medium, chopped |
| Red curly chili (cabe keriting) | 1 piece, sliced thin |
| Bird’s eye chili (cabe rawit) | 3 pieces, sliced thin |
| Shrimp paste (terasi) | ¼ packet (or small piece) |
| Sugar | To taste |
| Salt | To taste |
| Water | As needed |
Instructions:
-
Fry the Mackerel:
Begin by frying the mackerel (tongkol) slices until they’re half-cooked. Set them aside to cool slightly while you prepare the sauce. -
Sauté the Aromatics:
In a pan, heat a small amount of oil and sauté the thinly sliced shallots and minced garlic until they become fragrant and golden. This process should only take a couple of minutes. -
Add the Chilies and Tomatoes:
Once the shallots and garlic are fragrant, add the chopped tomatoes, sliced red curly chilies, and bird’s eye chilies. Stir-fry everything until the tomatoes become soft and the chilies wilt slightly. -
Season the Sauce:
Add a little bit of water to the pan to create a sauce base. Then, stir in the shrimp paste, sugar, and salt. Adjust the seasonings according to your taste preferences, adding more sugar if you prefer a sweeter balance, or more salt if needed. -
Combine with Mackerel:
Gently add the half-cooked mackerel pieces into the pan. Stir everything together, ensuring that the mackerel absorbs the flavorful sauce. Let it cook for a few more minutes until the fish is fully cooked and the sauce thickens. -
Taste and Serve:
Check the taste one final time, adjusting if necessary. The ideal flavor profile for this dish is a balance between tangy, sweet, and savory. Once you’re happy with the flavor, remove the pan from heat. -
Enjoy:
Serve the tumis tongkol with steamed rice and enjoy this comforting and flavorful dish!
This dish brings a lovely combination of spiciness from the chilies, tanginess from the tomatoes, and the depth of flavor provided by the shrimp paste, making it a satisfying and flavorful meal.
