Pempek Ikan Patin: Indonesian Fish Cake Delight
Ingredients
For the Pempek:
- 500 grams sago flour
- 250 grams all-purpose flour
- 1 medium-sized Patin fish
- 1 egg
- Water as needed
For the Spice Paste:
- 12 shallots
- 8 cloves of garlic (or adjust to taste with a 3:2 ratio)
- Oil for frying
For the Vinegar Sauce:
- 4 cups of water
- 1 medium-sized block of palm sugar
- Tamarind, to taste
- Vinegar, to taste
- Spice paste (shallots and garlic)
- Optional: seasoning powder (Royco)
Instructions
Preparing the Fish:
- Cook the Fish: Boil the Patin fish until it is fully cooked to make it easier to mash. Once cooked, you can either blend the fish or mash it using a mortar and pestle.
- Mix the Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the sago flour, mashed fish, egg, and 1 teaspoon of fine salt. Knead the mixture until well combined.
Preparing the Spice Paste:
- Cook the Spice Paste: Heat water in a pot and add the prepared spice paste (ground shallots and garlic). Bring it to a simmer, then add it to the fish and flour mixture, being cautious as the mixture will be hot.
Mixing and Shaping the Pempek:
- Add All-Purpose Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the mixture, kneading until it reaches a firm consistency.
- Shape the Pempek: Boil water in a large pot. Shape the dough into your desired forms, such as elongated logs, submarine shapes (filled with egg), or round balls similar to meatballs.
Cooking the Pempek:
- Boil the Pempek: Once the water is boiling, carefully add the shaped pempek dough. Boil until the pempek float to the surface, indicating they are fully cooked. Remove them and drain thoroughly.
- Fry the Pempek: Once cooled, cut the pempek into bite-sized pieces and fry them until golden brown.
Preparing the Vinegar Sauce:
- Cook the Sauce: In a pot, combine water with the remaining spice paste, grated palm sugar, tamarind, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil. Before turning off the heat, add 3 tablespoons of vinegar and stir briefly.
Serving
- Serve and Enjoy: Arrange the fried pempek on a serving plate and drizzle generously with the prepared vinegar sauce. Your Pempek Ikan Patin is now ready to be enjoyed!
Tips:
- Adjust the amount of garlic and shallots in the spice paste according to your taste preferences.
- Ensure the water used in mixing the dough is hot, but handle with care to avoid burns.
- For a richer flavor, allow the pempek to soak in the vinegar sauce for a few minutes before serving.
Conclusion
Pempek Ikan Patin is a delicious Indonesian delicacy that offers a perfect balance of savory fish cake and tangy vinegar sauce. Whether shaped into logs, balls, or filled with eggs, this dish promises to be a hit at any gathering. Enjoy the unique flavors and the satisfaction of making this traditional recipe at home. Happy cooking!
