Indonesian Yellow Spiced Milkfish in Creamy Coconut Sauce

Discover the vibrant flavors of Indonesian cuisine with this delectable Yellow Spiced Milkfish, known as “Ikan Bandeng Bumbu Kuning Santan.” This dish features a whole milkfish, cooked in a rich and aromatic yellow curry sauce made from fresh spices and creamy coconut milk. Perfect for a flavorful and satisfying meal, this recipe combines traditional Indonesian ingredients to create a delightful dish that’s sure to impress.

Ingredients

• 1 large milkfish (bandeng), cut into 6 pieces
• 50 ml coconut milk (santan)
• 1 stalk lemongrass (sereh), bruised
• 1 small piece galangal (lengkuas), bruised
• 3 turmeric roots (kunir)
• 2 candlenuts (kemiri)
• 1 thumb-sized piece ginger (jahe)
• 5 shallots (bawang merah)
• 4 garlic cloves (bawang putih)
• Chili peppers (cabe), to taste
• 3 green chilies (cabe ijo)
• 3 bay leaves (daun salam)
• Salt, sugar, and seasoning to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the Fish: Thoroughly clean the milkfish and cut it into 6 pieces. Optionally, you can fry the fish until it is half-cooked for added texture and flavor.

2. Prepare the Spice Paste: In a mortar and pestle, grind together the turmeric roots, candlenuts, and ginger to form a smooth paste.

3. Cook the Aromatics: In a pan, heat a little oil and sauté the shallots, garlic, and chili peppers until fragrant. Add the spice paste and continue to sauté until the mixture is well-cooked and aromatic.

4. Add the Herbs and Spices: Incorporate the bruised lemongrass, bay leaves, and galangal into the pan. Season with a pinch of sugar, seasoning, and a little salt. Stir to combine.

5. Add Liquid: Pour in a small amount of water and allow the mixture to come to a boil.

6. Add Coconut Milk: Once the mixture is boiling, gently stir in the coconut milk. Ensure that the coconut milk is well combined and does not curdle.

7. Simmer and Cook the Fish: Let the sauce simmer until it thickens slightly. Gently add the milkfish pieces and cook until the fish is fully cooked through and has absorbed the flavors of the sauce.

8. Final Adjustments: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with more salt, sugar, or seasoning as needed.

9. Serve: Serve the Yellow Spiced Milkfish with warm rice for a comforting and delicious meal.

Enjoy the rich and aromatic flavors of this traditional Indonesian dish, which pairs beautifully with a side of steaming white rice for a truly satisfying dining experience.