Mujaer Mini Rica Rica: A Delicious Indonesian Delight

Experience the rich flavors of Indonesian cuisine with this delightful recipe for Mujaer Mini Rica Rica, a dish that beautifully showcases the succulent taste of fried fish bathed in a spicy, aromatic sauce. Perfect for serving alongside warm rice, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your culinary repertoire.

Ingredients

For this flavorful dish, you will need the following ingredients:

• 6 small mujaer fish (about the size of your palm)
• For the spice blend (to be ground):
  • 8 curly red chilies
  • 5 green or red bird’s eye chilies
  • 5 shallots
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 piece of ginger (about 1 inch)
  • 1 piece of galangal (lightly crushed)
  • 2 kaffir lime leaves (torn into pieces, stems removed)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 medium tomato, thinly sliced
  • 1 stalk of green onion (scallion)
• Oil (for frying and sautéing, as needed)
• Salt (to taste)
• MSG (optional, to taste)
• 250 ml water (approximately 1 small glass)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Fish: Begin by cleaning the mujaer fish thoroughly. Depending on your preference, you can cut them in half or leave them whole. Squeeze some lime juice or vinegar over the fish and let them marinate for about 15 minutes to enhance their flavor.

2. Fry the Fish: Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the marinated fish until they are golden brown and cooked through. Once cooked, remove the fish from the pan and set them aside.

3. Make the Spice Paste: In a mortar and pestle, combine the ground spices you prepared earlier. Be careful not to grind them too finely; a coarse texture works best for this dish.

4. Sauté the Spice Blend: In the same pan used for frying the fish, add a bit more oil if necessary, and sauté the ground spice mixture until it becomes fragrant and fully cooked. This should take about 3-5 minutes. Add the torn kaffir lime leaves, bay leaf, and crushed galangal to the pan, stirring until aromatic.

5. Combine the Ingredients: Once the spices are fragrant, gently add the fried mujaer fish back into the pan. Toss them in the spice mixture to coat them thoroughly. Next, add the sliced tomato and stir well.

6. Add Liquid and Season: Pour in the water and season with salt and MSG (if using). Stir everything together and allow the mixture to simmer for a few minutes, enabling the flavors to meld together and the fish to absorb the spices.

7. Finish with Green Onions: Finally, add the chopped green onion to the pan and give everything a gentle stir. Allow the dish to cook for another minute or so until the green onions are tender.

8. Serve: Your Mujaer Mini Rica Rica is now ready to be served! Present this flavorful dish with a steaming bowl of rice, and enjoy the delightful blend of spices and tender fish.

Tips for Serving

This dish pairs perfectly with steamed white rice, which balances the spicy and savory notes of the rica rica sauce. For a complete meal, consider adding a side of sautéed vegetables or a fresh salad to round out your dining experience.

Enjoy this rich, flavorful dish that embodies the essence of Indonesian cuisine, and savor every bite with your loved ones!