Spicy Balinese Bandeng: Aromatic Grilled Fish Delight

Bali Ikan Bandeng: A Flavorful Indonesian Delight

Bali Ikan Bandeng, a delightful dish hailing from the beautiful Indonesian island of Bali, combines the richness of bandeng fish with a vibrant medley of spices that elevate its flavor to new heights. This recipe, featuring both fresh and aromatic ingredients, is sure to become a favorite in your culinary repertoire. Here’s how to prepare this mouthwatering dish, with all the details you need to make it at home.

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Preparation of the Fish: Begin by thoroughly cleaning the bandeng fish and cutting it into two halves. If you prefer it whole, that’s perfectly fine—adjust according to your taste.

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2. Marinating the Fish: Rub the fish with salt and lime juice. Allow it to marinate for about 10 minutes, letting the flavors infuse.

3. Making the Spice Paste: In a food processor or mortar and pestle, combine the large red chilies, bird’s eye chilies, garlic, shallots, turmeric, galangal, ginger, and candlenuts. Blend these ingredients until they form a smooth paste.

4. Cooking the Fish: Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat and fry the marinated fish until it’s cooked through and golden brown. Remove from the pan and set aside.

5. Sautéing the Spice Paste: In the same pan, add a little more oil if necessary, then sauté the spice paste you prepared until fragrant.

6. Adding Aromatics: Once the paste is fragrant, add the kaffir lime leaves, salam leaves, and lemongrass, stirring for a couple of minutes to combine the flavors.

7. Combining Ingredients: Gently place the fried fish back into the pan with the sautéed spices. Pour in a small amount of water to help create a flavorful sauce, cover, and allow to simmer for about 10 minutes. This will let the fish absorb the aromatic flavors of the spices.

8. Finishing Touches: After simmering, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. The fish should be beautifully infused with the vibrant spices.

9. Serving: Serve your Bali Ikan Bandeng warm, garnished with fresh herbs or additional lime leaves if desired. It pairs wonderfully with steamed rice and a side of vegetables.

Nutritional Information

This vibrant dish not only embodies the essence of Balinese cuisine but also showcases the fresh ingredients and traditional techniques that make Indonesian cooking so beloved. Enjoy your culinary adventure with Bali Ikan Bandeng!