Guleli Pala Nila (Nile Tilapia with Spices)

Experience the delightful flavors of Guleli Pala Nila, a fragrant Indonesian dish featuring the succulent head of Nile tilapia simmered in a rich and aromatic broth. This dish not only tantalizes your taste buds but is also low in cholesterol, making it a fantastic option for health-conscious cooks. Let’s embark on this culinary journey with the following ingredients and steps.

Ingredients

For the Dish:

• 3 heads of Nile tilapia (you can remove the mouth if preferred)
• 1 stalk of scallion (sliced to your liking)
• 3 tomatoes (cut in half)
• 1 piece of tamarind (cut into wedges)
• 2 pieces of ginger (smashed)
• 15 pieces of bird’s eye chilies (left whole)

For the Blender:

• 20 shallots
• 8 cloves of garlic
• 2 pieces of turmeric
• 1 finger-sized piece of ginger
• 1 teaspoon of coriander seeds
• ½ teaspoon of whole peppercorns
• 5 candlenuts
• 2 red chilies
• Cooking oil, as needed
• Salt, to taste
• Water, as needed

Instructions

1. Prepare the Spice Paste:
   In a hot pan, add a drizzle of cooking oil and sauté the blended spices until they release a fragrant aroma.

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2. Add the Ginger:
   Once fragrant, introduce the smashed ginger pieces to the pan and cook for a minute longer, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.

3. Simmer with Water:
   Pour in a small cup of water and bring it to a boil, allowing the spices to infuse.

4. Incorporate the Vegetables:
   Add the halved tomatoes and the tamarind wedges to the bubbling mixture. Follow this with the heads of the Nile tilapia, ensuring they are well submerged.

5. Cook Thoroughly:
   Let the pot come to a gentle boil again, then add approximately 3 cups of water to ensure the flavors are well extracted from the spices.

6. Season to Taste:
   After another boil, season with salt according to your preference. Sprinkle the whole bird’s eye chilies on top, allowing them to impart their heat to the broth.

7. Final Cooking Steps:
   Let the dish simmer until the liquid reduces slightly, ensuring to taste and adjust the seasoning as needed to suit your palate. Allow it to cook for about 5 minutes.

8. Serve:
   Carefully transfer the dish to a serving plate, garnishing with sliced scallions on top, and don’t forget to ladle some of the flavorful broth over the fish.

Enjoy!

Your Guleli Pala Nila is ready to be enjoyed! This dish is perfect served warm, showcasing the delicate flavors of the fish and spices that create a memorable dining experience. Happy cooking, and bon appétit! 😊