Balado Tongkol Recipe
Ingredients:
- 100 grams (1 ounce) of tongkol (skipjack tuna)
- 1 packet of instant balado seasoning
- 3 shallots
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 tomato (medium-sized)
- Granulated sugar to taste
- Royco seasoning or any preferred seasoning to taste
- Cooking oil
Instructions:
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Prepare the Aromatics: Finely grind the shallots, garlic, and tomato using a food processor or mortar and pestle until you achieve a smooth paste.
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Cook the Base: Heat a small amount of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the ground shallots, garlic, and tomato paste to the pan. Sauté until fragrant and the oil starts to separate from the paste.
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Add Instant Balado Seasoning: Incorporate the instant balado seasoning into the pan. Continue to cook until the mixture is well-combined and aromatic.
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Reserve Some Paste: Set aside a portion of the cooked paste, leaving a small amount in the pan for the next step. Store the reserved paste in the refrigerator for future use.
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Cook the Tongkol: Add a little water to the remaining paste in the pan. Then, gently place the tongkol into the pan. Stir to coat the fish with the sauce.
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Season to Taste: Add granulated sugar and Royco seasoning (or any preferred seasoning) to taste. Adjust the seasoning as necessary based on your preference.
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Simmer: Allow the tongkol to cook until it’s thoroughly done and the flavors have melded together.
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Serve: Transfer the cooked balado tongkol to a serving dish. Serve with steamed rice for a complete meal.
Note: This recipe makes enough balado seasoning paste to use with up to 500 grams (about 1 pound) of tongkol. For this particular recipe, we used 100 grams (1 ounce) of tongkol, so the amount of seasoning used is about 1 tablespoon. Adjust the quantity of seasoning based on the amount of fish you’re preparing.
Enjoy your flavorful Balado Tongkol with a side of steamed rice!
