Indonesian Turmeric Snakehead Fish Stew with Coconut and Starfruit

Ikan Gabus Bumbu Kuning Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 pieces of snakehead fish (ikan gabus)
• 1 piece of turmeric leaf (daun kunyit)
• 3 cm of galangal, crushed
• 3 pieces of bay leaves (daun salam)
• 2 stalks of lemongrass, crushed
• 4 pieces of starfruit (blimbing wuluh), thinly sliced
• 1 medium tomato, sliced
• 10 bird’s eye chilies (cabe rawit), crushed
• 350 ml coconut milk (santan)
• Lime juice (from 1 lime)
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• Salt, to taste
• Sugar, to taste

For the Spice Paste (Bumbu Halus):

• 10 shallots (bawang merah)
• 4 green onions (daun bawang)
• 8 dried red chilies (cabe kering)
• 3 cm ginger
• 3 cm turmeric

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Fish:
   Begin by thoroughly cleaning the snakehead fish. Remove any slime, scales, and internal organs. Rub the fish with lime juice and salt to eliminate the fishy smell. Allow it to marinate for 10 minutes to let the flavors infuse.

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2. Prepare the Spice Paste:
   In a blender or food processor, combine the shallots, green onions, dried red chilies, ginger, and turmeric. Blend into a smooth paste.

3. Cook the Spice Paste:
   Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the spice paste to the pan and sauté until fragrant.

4. Add Aromatics:
   Incorporate the crushed lemongrass, galangal, and bay leaves into the pan. Stir continuously to allow the flavors to meld.

5. Cook the Fish:
   Gently place the marinated fish into the pan with the spice mixture. Stir gently to coat the fish with the spices. Cook until the fish begins to soften, then add a small amount of water to help the spices penetrate the fish.

6. Simmer:
   Once the fish is partially cooked and tender, pour in the coconut milk. Season with salt and sugar to taste. Stir well and allow the mixture to simmer until the fish is fully cooked and tender.

7. Add Final Ingredients:
   Add the starfruit, tomato slices, and crushed bird’s eye chilies. Continue to cook until the starfruit and tomato are tender, and the flavors have blended.

8. Adjust Seasoning:
   Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or sugar as needed.

9. Serve:
   Serve the Ikan Gabus Bumbu Kuning hot, and enjoy this delightful dish with steamed rice.

This traditional Indonesian dish offers a rich, aromatic experience with the bold flavors of turmeric, galangal, and coconut milk, making it a comforting choice for any meal.