Spicy Indonesian Fried Fish with Balado Sauce

Balado Ikan Layur: A Spicy Indonesian Delight 🐟

Balado Ikan Layur is a vibrant and flavorful Indonesian dish that’s perfect for those who love a good kick of spice. Traditionally made with Layur fish, this recipe can be adapted with any fish of your choice. The dish combines fried fish with a spicy and aromatic sauce, making it a fantastic accompaniment to steamed rice. Here’s how you can recreate this mouthwatering dish at home:

Ingredients

For the Fish

• 500 grams (1/2 kg) of fresh Layur fish (or any fish of your choice)
• Salt, to taste
• Juice of 1 lemon (to remove the fishy smell)
• Oil, for frying

For the Spice Paste

• 15 red curly chilies
• 8 shallots
• 5 cloves of garlic
• 7 bird’s eye chilies (optional, for extra heat)
• 1 small tomato
• 1 piece of galangal (smashed)
• 3 bay leaves
• A small amount of grilled shrimp paste (optional)
• 1 tablespoon of sweet soy sauce
• 1-2 teaspoons of seasoning powder (e.g., chicken bouillon)
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of MSG (optional)
• Juice of 1 lemon
• A bit of water (as needed)
• Oil, for sautéing

Instructions

1. Prepare the Fish:

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   • Clean the fish thoroughly and cut it into several pieces.
   • Place the fish pieces in a bowl and sprinkle with salt and lemon juice. This step helps to eliminate any fishy odor. Let it sit for about 10 minutes.

2. Prepare the Spice Paste:

   • While the fish is marinating, grind or blend all the spice paste ingredients (red chilies, shallots, garlic, bird’s eye chilies, tomato, and smashed galangal) until you get a smooth mixture. Leave the bay leaves aside.

3. Fry the Fish:

   • Heat oil in a pan over medium heat and fry the fish pieces until they are cooked through and golden brown. Once done, set them aside.

4. Cook the Spice Paste:

   • In a clean pan, heat some oil over medium heat. Add the ground spice paste and sauté until fragrant.

5. Add the Flavorings:

   • Add the bay leaves to the pan with the spice paste. Pour in a little water to create a sauce. Add seasoning powder, sugar, MSG (if using), and sweet soy sauce. Adjust the taste as needed.

6. Combine and Simmer:

   • Once the sauce has developed a rich aroma and flavor, gently add the fried fish pieces to the pan. Stir carefully to coat the fish with the sauce. Allow it to simmer until the sauce reduces and thickens slightly.

7. Serve:

   • Once the sauce has thickened and the fish is well-coated, remove from heat. Serve your Balado Ikan Layur hot with steamed rice for a delightful meal.

This Balado Ikan Layur recipe brings together the bold and aromatic flavors of Indonesian cuisine, offering a delightful experience with every bite. Enjoy your homemade dish that’s both spicy and satisfying! 🤗