Mangut Lele: A Savory Indonesian Catfish Delight
Experience the rich flavors of Indonesian cuisine with Mangut Lele, a delightful catfish dish that’s as aromatic as it is flavorful. This recipe combines tender catfish with a spicy, creamy coconut sauce that is perfect for any meal. Follow these steps to create a dish that will tantalize your taste buds and impress your guests.
Ingredients
- 5 whole catfish (Lele), cleaned and gutted
- 1 packet of coconut milk (Santan Kara)
- Bird’s eye chilies (Cabe rawit), to taste
- Bay leaves (Daun salam)
- Kaffir lime leaves (Daun jeruk)
- Lemongrass (Sereh), smashed
- 1 tomato, seeded and chopped
For the Spice Paste (Bumbu Halus):
- 4 cloves garlic (Bawang putih)
- 5 shallots (Bawang merah)
- 5 bird’s eye chilies (Cabe rawit)
- 5 red chilies (Cabe merah)
- Turmeric (Kunyit)
- Ginger (Jahe)
- Coriander (Ketumbar)
- Candlenuts (Kemiri)
- Palm sugar (Gula merah), shaved
- Salt (Garam)
Instructions
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Prepare the Catfish:
- Season the cleaned catfish with salt, coriander, and turmeric. Fry the fish until golden and crispy, then set aside.
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Cook the Spice Paste:
- In a pan, heat a bit of oil over medium heat. Sauté the spice paste until aromatic. Add the bay leaves, kaffir lime leaves, smashed lemongrass, and chopped tomato. Stir in the shaved palm sugar and cook until the tomato softens and the sugar dissolves.
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Combine Ingredients:
- Add the fried catfish to the pan. Toss in the bird’s eye chilies, and pour in enough water to cover the fish. Allow it to simmer until the fish is cooked through and the flavors meld together.
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Add Coconut Milk:
- Once the fish is almost done, stir in the coconut milk. Gently mix to combine, ensuring the coconut milk doesn’t curdle. Simmer until the sauce thickens and coats the fish well.
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Serve:
- Mangut Lele is now ready to be served. Enjoy it with steamed rice or as part of a larger Indonesian feast.
Tips
- Adjust the amount of bird’s eye chilies according to your heat preference.
- Make sure to stir the coconut milk gently to prevent it from splitting.
This Mangut Lele recipe brings the essence of Indonesian flavors into your kitchen, offering a satisfying blend of spicy, savory, and creamy elements that will surely become a favorite at your table. Enjoy! 💞
