Spicy Indonesian Tilapia with Aromatic Herb Sauce

Pesmol Ikan Nila

Ingredients

• 2 whole tilapia fish (Ikan nila)
• 1 teaspoon turmeric (Kunyit)
• 5 shallots (Bawang merah)
• 4 cloves garlic (Bawang putih)
• 3 red chili peppers (Cabe merah)
• 5 bird’s eye chilies (Rawit merah)
• A handful of basil leaves (Kemangi)
• 1 green tomato (Tomat ijo)
• Salt to taste (Garam)
• Sugar to taste (Gula)
• Seasoning powder to taste (Bumbu Penyedap)
• 3 bay leaves (Daun Salam)
• 1 stalk lemongrass, bruised (Sereh)

Preparation Steps

1. Frying the Fish:

   • Clean the tilapia fish thoroughly.
   • Season the fish with a little salt and turmeric.
   • Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
   • Fry the tilapia fish until it is crispy and golden brown on both sides.
   • Remove the fish from the oil and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.

2. Preparing the Spice Paste:

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   • In a mortar and pestle or a food processor, combine the red chili peppers, bird’s eye chilies, shallots, garlic, and turmeric. Grind or blend until you get a smooth paste.

3. Cooking the Spice Paste:

   • Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium heat.
   • Add the spice paste to the hot oil and sauté until fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
   • Add the bay leaves and bruised lemongrass stalk, stirring continuously until the spices are well cooked and aromatic.

4. Making the Sauce:

   • Pour in enough water to create a sauce, about 1-2 cups.
   • Bring the mixture to a simmer.

5. Combining the Fish and Sauce:

   • Gently add the fried tilapia fish into the pan with the sauce.
   • Simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to penetrate the fish.
   • Adjust the seasoning with salt, sugar, and seasoning powder to taste.

6. Finishing Touch:

   • Just before removing the dish from the heat, add the sliced green tomato and basil leaves.
   • Stir gently to combine, allowing the basil and tomato to maintain their freshness and vibrant color.

7. Serving:

   • Remove the pan from heat and transfer the Pesmol Ikan Nila to a serving dish.
   • Garnish with additional basil leaves if desired.
   • Serve hot with steamed rice.

Enjoy the vibrant flavors of this traditional Indonesian dish, Pesmol Ikan Nila. It’s perfect for a delightful meal that brings together the rich taste of fried fish with the aromatic and spicy sauce. Happy cooking!