Grilled Skate Fish (Ikan Pari Panggang)

Discover the delightful flavors of Grilled Skate Fish, a beloved Indonesian dish that beautifully combines tender fish with aromatic spices and rich coconut milk. This recipe is perfect for a family gathering or a cozy dinner at home. Let’s explore how to create this mouthwatering dish step by step.

Ingredients

For the Fish:

• 600 grams of skate fish (ikan pari), cleaned and cut into pieces, squeezed with lime juice
• 200 ml thick coconut milk (santan kental)
• 1 turmeric leaf (daun kunyit), tied in a knot
• 2 bay leaves (daun salam)
• 1 stalk of lemongrass (sereh), crushed
• 1 piece of tamarind (asam kandis)
• Cooking oil for sautéing
• Salt and ground pepper to taste

For the Spice Paste:

• 5 red chilies (cabe merah)
• 5 shallots (bawang merah)
• 3 garlic cloves (bawang putih)
• 1 fried candlenut (kemiri)
• 1/2 teaspoon coriander (ketumbar)
• 1 thumb-sized piece of turmeric (kunyit)
• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger (jahe)
• 1 thumb-sized piece of young galangal (lengkuas muda)

Preparation Steps

1. Prepare the Spice Paste:
   Begin by blending the red chilies, shallots, garlic, fried candlenut, coriander, turmeric, ginger, and young galangal until you achieve a smooth paste. This blend will serve as the aromatic foundation of your dish.

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2. Sauté the Aromatics:
   In a pan, heat some cooking oil over medium heat. Add the spice paste, turmeric leaf, bay leaves, crushed lemongrass, and tamarind. Sauté the mixture until it becomes fragrant and the oil begins to separate, indicating that the spices are well-cooked.

3. Add Coconut Milk:
   Pour in the thick coconut milk, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens and becomes slightly oily. This rich base will infuse the skate fish with flavor.

4. Cook the Skate Fish:
   Gently add the pieces of skate fish to the pan. Season with salt and ground pepper. Allow the fish to cook for about three minutes without stirring, then carefully flip it over and cook for an additional two minutes. After this time, turn off the heat.

5. Grill the Fish:
   Preheat your grill. Once ready, transfer the fish to the grill, brushing it with any remaining marinade. Grill the fish over charcoal, basting with the leftover sauce to enhance its flavor. Your spouse will appreciate the extra sauce, which adds a delicious touch when served with rice.

6. Serve:
   Serve the grilled skate fish hot, accompanied by steaming white rice, the leftover sauce, fresh vegetables (lalapan), and a side of sambal kecap for an extra kick.

Enjoying Your Dish

Grilled Skate Fish is not just a meal; it’s an experience. The combination of tender fish, fragrant spices, and rich coconut milk creates a symphony of flavors that will surely impress your family and friends. Enjoy it as part of a delightful feast or as a comforting everyday dish. Bon appétit!