Lintingan Bandeng: A Delightful Indonesian Grilled Fish Dish
Ingredients:
- 5 medium-sized bandeng (milkfish), cleaned and gutted
- 1/2 grated coconut
- Chopped green onions (to taste)
- Young tamarind leaves (blimbing wuluh)
- 3 green tomatoes, sliced thinly
- Bird’s eye chilies (to taste), sliced into rounds
For the Spice Paste:
- 3 cloves garlic
- 4 shallots
- Red chilies (to taste)
- Salt (to taste)
- Granulated sugar (to taste)
Other Ingredients:
- Banana leaves, dried and prepped for wrapping
Steps:
-
Prepare the Fish:
Lightly fry the bandeng in a hot pan until it is half-cooked. Cut each fish into two pieces and set aside. -
Mix the Filling:
In a mixing bowl, combine the grated coconut, chopped green onions, young tamarind leaves, sliced green tomatoes, and bird’s eye chilies. Add the prepared spice paste, mixing well to ensure all ingredients are evenly incorporated. Adjust seasoning with salt and sugar to taste. -
Wrap the Fish:
Take a sheet of dried banana leaf and place a portion of the mixture in the center. Add two pieces of the fried bandeng on top of the mixture. Cover with more of the filling mixture. Fold the banana leaf over the filling to enclose it, securing the ends with bamboo skewers or toothpicks. Repeat this process until all the filling and fish are wrapped. -
Steam the Wrapped Fish:
Arrange the wrapped fish in a steamer. Steam over medium heat until the banana leaves change color and the fish is thoroughly cooked. This should take approximately 30-45 minutes, depending on the size of your wraps. -
Grill for Flavor:
Once steamed, remove the wraps from the steamer and place them on a hot grill or a non-stick skillet. Grill for a few minutes on each side to impart a smoky flavor and enhance the aroma of the banana leaves. -
Serve:
Carefully unwrap the banana leaves and transfer the Lintingan Bandeng to a serving platter. Enjoy this flavorful dish with warm steamed rice for a complete and satisfying meal.
This traditional Indonesian recipe for Lintingan Bandeng highlights the wonderful flavors of fish and aromatic spices, beautifully wrapped in banana leaves and grilled to perfection. Enjoy the rich, savory taste of this unique dish!
