Tongkol Cakalang with Basil Leaves Recipe
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh Tongkol fish | 2 fish (optional) | You can skip if preferred |
| Ground Spices | ||
| Red bird’s eye chilies (optional) | To taste | Adjust the spiciness to your liking |
| Shallots | 7 cloves | |
| Garlic | 5 cloves | |
| Ginger | To taste | |
| Thinly Sliced Ingredients | ||
| Kaffir lime leaves | As needed | Provides a citrusy fragrance |
| Lemongrass stalk | 1, thinly sliced | Adds a subtle lemon aroma |
| Brown sugar or granulated sugar | To taste | Can use either depending on preference |
| Bay leaves | 2 leaves | Adds an earthy flavor |
| Galangal | To taste, crushed | Provides a spicy, peppery note |
| Salt | To taste | |
| Flavor enhancer (optional) | To taste | |
| Water | A little, as needed | To prevent the spices from burning |
| Cooking oil | As needed | For frying |
| Fresh basil leaves | A handful | For a refreshing, aromatic finish |
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Fish:
- Steam the tongkol fish for about 10 minutes to ensure it’s cooked through but still tender. After steaming, lightly fry the fish, making sure not to overcook it—this helps preserve its moisture and flavor.
- Once the fish is fried, shred it into bite-sized pieces according to your preference.
-
Prepare the Spices:
- In a pan, heat a little oil and sauté the ground spices (shallots, garlic, red bird’s eye chilies, and ginger) until fragrant. Add the crushed galangal, bay leaves, sliced kaffir lime leaves, and lemongrass for extra depth of flavor.
- Stir in the sugar, salt, and optional flavor enhancer, adjusting to taste. Add a little water if needed to keep the spices from sticking to the pan.
-
-
Combine the Fish:
- Once the spices have melded together and become aromatic, add the shredded tongkol fish into the pan. Stir well, ensuring the fish is coated evenly with the spices.
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Final Touch:
- When the fish is fully cooked and the flavors have developed, taste and adjust the seasoning as necessary. Finally, add the fresh basil leaves, stirring them in briefly to maintain their aroma and freshness. Remove from heat.
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Serve and Enjoy:
- Your flavorful Tongkol Cakalang with Basil Leaves is ready to be served! This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed rice and other side dishes of your choice. Enjoy the fragrant blend of spices and fresh herbs!
This dish is a delightful balance of savory and aromatic flavors, where the richness of the tongkol fish meets the fresh scent of basil and a harmonious mix of traditional Indonesian spices. Feel free to adjust the spiciness and sweetness to suit your personal taste!
