Spicy Fried Catfish Balado: A Flavorful Indonesian Delight
Ikan Lele Goreng Balado Recipe
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Jumbo catfish (ikan lele) | 2 pieces |
| Shallots (bawang merah) | 8 cloves |
| Garlic (bawang putih) | 6 cloves |
| Curly red chili (cabe merah keriting) | to taste |
| Green bird’s eye chili (cabe rawit hijau) | to taste |
| Turmeric (kunyit) | 1 piece (about 1 inch) |
| Ginger (jahe) | 1 piece (about 1 inch) |
| Kaffir lime leaves (daun jeruk) | 2 leaves |
| Salt (garam) | to taste |
| Sugar (gula) | to taste |
| Water (air) | as needed |
| Cooking oil (minyak goreng) | for frying |
| Tomato | 1 piece |
Instructions
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Prepare the Fish: Rinse the jumbo catfish thoroughly, then cut into desired portions. Season with salt, ensuring it’s well coated.
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Fry the Fish: Heat the cooking oil in a pan and fry the seasoned catfish until it’s golden brown and slightly dried.
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Make the Spice Paste: In a blender, combine the shallots, garlic, curly red chili, green bird’s eye chili, turmeric, and ginger. Blend until smooth.
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Sauté the Spices: In the same pan, add a little more oil if necessary and sauté the spice paste until fragrant. Then, add the chopped tomato and kaffir lime leaves, cooking until the tomato softens.
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Season the Mixture: Add sugar, salt, and a splash of water to the sautéed spices, stirring to combine. Allow the mixture to cook until it thickens slightly.
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Combine: Gently add the fried catfish to the pan, stirring to coat the fish evenly with the spice mixture. Check the seasoning and adjust to taste.
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Serve: Once the flavors meld and the catfish is heated through, remove from heat. Serve hot with steamed rice for a delightful meal.
Enjoy your delicious Ikan Lele Goreng Balado, a spicy and flavorful Indonesian dish that highlights the rich taste of catfish!
