Ikan Bandeng Bumbu Bali

Ingredients

• 1 whole bandeng fish, cut into 4 pieces and fried until crispy
• 4 tablespoons coconut milk (santen)
• 400 ml water
• 2 pieces of torn bay leaves (daun salam)
• 1 stalk lemongrass (sereh), bruised
• Salt, to taste
• Sugar, to taste
• 1 stalk green onion, cut into matchstick-sized pieces
• Cooking oil, for sautéing

Spice Blend (to be blended):

• 7 shallots (bawang merah)
• 4 garlic cloves (bawang putih)
• 6 red chilies (cabe merah)
• 2 cm turmeric (kunyit)
• 1 cm galangal (lengkuas)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Spice Blend: In a blender, combine shallots, garlic, red chilies, turmeric, and galangal. Blend until smooth. To enhance the flavors, sauté the blended spices in a pan without oil until the mixture is dry to remove excess moisture.

2. Sauté the Spices: Once the spice blend is dry, add a drizzle of cooking oil, along with the torn bay leaves and bruised lemongrass. Sauté the mixture until fragrant and the spices are cooked through.

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3. Add Liquid: Pour in the water and coconut milk, stirring to combine. Allow the mixture to cook until the water begins to reduce slightly.

4. Incorporate the Fish: Gently add the previously fried fish pieces to the pan, ensuring they are well coated with the sauce. Before removing from heat, stir in the sliced green onions, salt, and sugar to taste. Adjust the seasoning as needed.

5. Final Cooking: Allow the sauce to simmer until it thickens slightly, ensuring that the liquid doesn’t reduce too much. The goal is to have a rich, flavorful sauce that clings to the fish.

6. Serve: Once done, transfer the dish to a serving platter and enjoy your Ikan Bandeng Bumbu Bali with steamed rice or your favorite side dishes.

Cooking Tips

• Ensure the fish is fried to a crispy texture to add a delightful contrast to the rich sauce.
• Feel free to adjust the spice levels by varying the amount of red chilies used in the blend.
• This dish pairs beautifully with fresh vegetables or a simple cucumber salad for a balanced meal.

Enjoy your culinary journey with this authentic Balinese dish that brings the vibrant flavors of Indonesia to your table!