Spicy Indonesian Tuna Balado: Savory & Tangy Delight

Tongkol Balado: A Spicy Tuna Delight

Ingredients:

• 1/2 medium-sized tuna (or use skipjack tuna)
• 7 shallots
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 10 curly red chilies
• 10 bird’s eye chilies
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 kaffir lime leaves
• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger
• 1 lime slice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder
• A small amount of cooking oil

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Tuna:
   Begin by cleaning the tuna thoroughly. Cut it into pieces according to your preference. To remove the fishy odor, marinate the pieces with a squeeze of lime juice and set aside.

2. Make the Spice Paste:
   In a blender or food processor, blend the shallots, garlic, curly red chilies, and bird’s eye chilies into a smooth paste. Add a little cooking oil to ease the blending process.

3. Fry the Tuna:
   Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the marinated tuna pieces until they are crispy and cooked through, or to your desired texture. Remove the tuna from the pan and set aside.

4. Cook the Spice Paste:
   In the same pan, add a bit more oil if necessary. Sauté the spice paste until it becomes fragrant and the oil starts to separate from the paste.

5. Add Aromatics:
   To the pan, add the bay leaf, kaffir lime leaves, and ginger. Cook for a few minutes until the aromatic ingredients are well-integrated into the spice paste.

6. Combine Tuna and Spice Paste:
   Return the fried tuna pieces to the pan. Stir well to coat the tuna evenly with the spice paste.

7. Season the Dish:
   Sprinkle in the salt, granulated sugar, and chicken bouillon powder. If the mixture seems too dry, add a small amount of water to prevent burning and ensure the flavors meld together.

8. Simmer and Adjust:
   Continue to cook until the spices are fully absorbed by the tuna and the flavors are well-blended. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

9. Serve:
   Once the tuna is well-coated with the spicy paste and the flavors are fully absorbed, your Tongkol Balado is ready to be served. Enjoy this delectable dish with steaming hot rice for a satisfying meal.

Notes:

• Adjust the number of chilies based on your preferred spice level.
• The amount of sugar and salt can be modified according to your taste.
• For an extra kick, you can add more bird’s eye chilies or a splash of vinegar for tanginess.

This Tongkol Balado recipe promises a delightful blend of spicy, savory, and aromatic flavors, perfect for a hearty meal that will tantalize your taste buds. Enjoy cooking and savoring this traditional Indonesian dish!