Ikan Tongkol Sambalado: A Flavorful Indonesian Delight
Ikan Tongkol Sambalado is a delectable dish that showcases the rich flavors of Indonesia. This recipe combines fresh tuna-like fish with a vibrant sambal, making it a perfect meal for seafood lovers. Let’s dive into the ingredients and step-by-step instructions to create this mouthwatering dish.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Fresh Ikan Tongkol (tuna-like fish), cleaned and cut | 500 grams |
| Lime (jeruk nipis) | 1 piece |
| Red curly chilies (cabe merah keriting) | 15 pieces |
| Bird’s eye chilies (cabe rawit merah) | 10 pieces |
| Shallots (bawang merah) | 4 pieces |
| Garlic (bawang putih) | 2 cloves |
| Medium-sized tomato | 1 piece |
| Grilled shrimp paste (terasi ABC) | 1 piece |
| Galangal (lengkuas), crushed | 2 cm |
| Salam leaves (daun salam) | 2 leaves |
| Lime leaves (daun jeruk) | 2 leaves |
| Salt (garam) | ½ tablespoon |
| Sugar (gula pasir) | 1 tablespoon |
| Mushroom seasoning (kaldu jamur) | ½ tablespoon |
Instructions
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Prepare the Fish: Begin by marinating the fresh Ikan Tongkol with lime juice to enhance its flavor. Allow it to soak for a few minutes before frying.
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Fry the Fish: Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the marinated fish lightly until it is just cooked. This step helps retain the moisture in the fish.
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Make the Sambal: In the same pan, fry all sambal ingredients together: the red curly chilies, bird’s eye chilies, shallots, garlic, and tomato. Fry until fragrant and softened.
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Pound the Sambal: Transfer the fried ingredients into a mortar and pestle, and pound them coarsely. If you prefer, you can use a blender, but the traditional method brings out the flavors better.
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Sauté the Paste: In a clean pan, sauté the coarsely pounded sambal mixture over medium heat. Add a splash of water to loosen it up.
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Season the Sambal: Stir in the crushed galangal, salam leaves, lime leaves, salt, sugar, and mushroom seasoning. Allow the mixture to simmer, letting the flavors meld beautifully.
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Combine with Fish: Gently add the fried Ikan Tongkol into the sambal, ensuring the fish is well-coated with the rich mixture. Cook for a few more minutes until the fish absorbs the sambal flavors.
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Taste and Adjust: Before serving, taste the sambalado and adjust the seasoning if necessary. A perfect balance of salty, sweet, and spicy is essential for this dish.
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Serve: Once ready, serve your Ikan Tongkol Sambalado hot with steamed rice for a delightful meal that will surely please everyone at the table.
This Ikan Tongkol Sambalado recipe not only tantalizes your taste buds but also introduces you to the vibrant culinary traditions of Indonesia. Enjoy this flavorful dish that is simple yet satisfying, and let your culinary adventure begin!
