Spicy Indonesian Mackerel: Ikan Kembung Balado Delight
Ikan Kembung Balado Recipe
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of Ikan Kembung Balado, a delightful Indonesian dish that combines the freshness of mackerel with a spicy, aromatic sauce. Perfectly seasoned and easy to prepare, this dish will surely impress your family and friends!
Ingredients
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 5 fish | Mackerel (ikan kembung) |
| 1 packet | Fried fish seasoning (bumbu racik) |
| For Spice Paste: | |
| 10 | Red curly chilies (cabe merah keriting) |
| 15 | Bird’s eye chilies (cabe rawit merah) |
| 7 | Shallots (bawang merah) |
| 6 | Garlic (bawang putih) |
| 1 | Red tomato (tomat merah) |
| 2 cm | Galangal (lengkuas, crushed) |
| 1 stalk | Lemongrass (sereh, crushed) |
| 2 leaves | Bay leaves (daun salam) |
| 2 leaves | Kaffir lime leaves (daun jeruk, optional) |
| 1 packet | Small shrimp paste (terasi) |
| To taste | Salt (garam) |
| To taste | Sugar (gula) |
| To taste | Seasoning (penyedap) |
| To taste | Cooking oil (minyak goreng) |
| 20 ml | Water (air) |
Instructions
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Prepare the Fish: Clean the mackerel thoroughly and marinate it in the fried fish seasoning for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate.
-
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Make the Spice Paste: In a mortar and pestle, finely grind the red curly chilies, bird’s eye chilies, shallots, garlic, and red tomato until you achieve a smooth paste.
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Cook the Spice Paste: Heat oil in a pan over medium heat, then sauté the spice paste until fragrant. Add the bay leaves, kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, and galangal to infuse more flavor.
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Simmer the Dish: Once aromatic, pour in the water (about 20 ml) and gently place the marinated mackerel into the pan. Let it simmer until the fish is cooked through and well-coated with the spicy mixture.
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Final Seasoning: Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt, sugar, and shrimp paste as desired.
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Serve: Once cooked, serve the Ikan Kembung Balado warm, paired with steamed rice for a delightful meal that highlights the ultimate in Indonesian cuisine.
Enjoy this vibrant dish that showcases the rich culinary heritage of Indonesia!
