Sour and Spicy Tuna Head Soup with Starfruit (Kepala Tongkol Kuah Asam Pedas Belimbing Wuluh)
A tangy and spicy Indonesian seafood delight that brings the unique flavors of starfruit and tuna together for a mouthwatering experience. Perfect to serve with rice cakes (lontong) and rice crackers for a complete meal.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Tuna head and fillet | 1/4 fish, cleaned and cut into 5 pieces |
| Starfruit (Belimbing Wuluh) | 8 pieces, sliced diagonally |
| Red shallots (medium size) | 5 cloves, thinly sliced |
| Garlic cloves (medium size) | 4 cloves, crushed and roughly chopped |
| Red chili peppers | 15 whole (adjust to taste) |
| Salt | To taste |
| Sugar | To taste |
| Water | 500 ml |
Steps
-
Prepare the Tuna Head and Fillet
- Clean the tuna thoroughly, ensuring all bitter-tasting organs are removed.
- Slice the tuna into five portions and keep the head intact after removing the gills.
-
-
Pre-Fry the Fish
- In a pan, lightly fry the tuna head and slices until half-cooked. Set aside.
-
Prepare the Seasonings
- Crush the garlic cloves slightly and chop them roughly.
- Thinly slice the shallots.
- Diagonally slice the starfruit.
- Keep the chili peppers whole.
-
Sauté the Ingredients
- Heat a small amount of oil in a pan over low heat.
- Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Then, add the shallots, followed by the chilies, and finally the starfruit.
- Continue stirring until the starfruit begins to change color.
-
Create the Soup Base
- Pour in 500 ml of water, then add the tuna head and fillet slices without waiting for the water to boil.
- Gently turn the tuna pieces to ensure even cooking.
-
Season and Simmer
- Once the soup starts boiling, add salt and a touch of sugar, adjusting to taste.
- Let it simmer until the flavors meld, creating a balance of sourness, savoriness, and spiciness with the distinctive aroma of tuna.
-
Serve
- Transfer the soup to a serving bowl and serve immediately with family or friends.
- This dish pairs beautifully with rice cakes (lontong) and rice crackers for added crunch.
- For an extra kick, gently crush a chili pepper in your spoon before sipping the soup.
Enjoy a memorable, warming bowl of Sour and Spicy Tuna Head Soup with Starfruit with a dash of fresh lime juice on the side!
