Balado Ikan Asin Gabus: A Fiery Indonesian Delicacy
Ingredients:
- 2 salted snakehead fish (ikan asin gabus)
- 10 red chili peppers (cabe merah)
- 10 bird’s eye chilies (cabe rawit)
- 4 shallots (bawang merah)
- 1 small tomato (tomat ukuran kecil)
- 1 clove garlic (bawang putih)
- 1 thumb-sized piece of galangal (lengkuas)
- Salt and sugar, to taste
- Cooking oil, as needed
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Fish:
Begin by soaking the salted snakehead fish in warm water to reduce its saltiness. Add a pinch of salt to the water to help in the desalting process. Once the fish has soaked for a sufficient time, cut it into small cubes. -
Fry the Fish:
Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan. Fry the fish cubes until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the fried fish from the pan and set aside. -
Make the Sambal:
While the fish is frying, prepare the sambal. In a blender or food processor, combine the red chilies, bird’s eye chilies, shallots, tomato, garlic, and the galangal. Blend until you have a smooth paste. -
Cook the Sambal:
Use the remaining oil from frying the fish to cook the sambal paste. Sauté the paste over medium heat until it becomes aromatic and the oil starts to separate from the paste. -
Combine and Season:
Add the fried fish cubes to the sambal. Sprinkle in a pinch of sugar and adjust the seasoning with salt to taste. Stir well to ensure that the fish is thoroughly coated with the sambal. -
Serve:
Serve the Balado Ikan Asin Gabus hot, alongside steaming white rice for a truly satisfying meal.
Enjoy this vibrant and flavorful dish that captures the essence of Indonesian cuisine!
