Pepesan Tongkol: Spiced Tuna Wrapped in Banana Leaves
Ingredients:
- 1 whole steamed tuna (tongkol)
- 3 cloves garlic
- 5 shallots
- 10 curly red chilies
- 5 bird’s eye chilies (to taste)
- 1 tomato
- 3 candlenuts
- 1 small slice of temu kunci (lesser galangal)
- A small amount of tamarind
- Banana leaves for wrapping
Instructions:
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Prepare the Spice Paste: Begin by finely grinding the garlic, shallots, curly red chilies, bird’s eye chilies, tomato, candlenuts, and temu kunci into a smooth paste. You can use a mortar and pestle or a food processor for this step.
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Sauté the Spice Paste: Heat a small amount of oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the spice paste to the pan and sauté until it becomes fragrant and slightly caramelized, which should take about 5 minutes.
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Combine with Tuna: Shred the steamed tuna into bite-sized pieces. Mix the shredded tuna with the sautéed spice paste until the fish is well coated and the flavors are evenly distributed.
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Wrap the Mixture: Take a spoonful of the tuna mixture and place it in the center of a piece of banana leaf. Fold the leaf over the filling to form a parcel, and secure it with a toothpick.
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Steam the Parcels: Arrange the banana leaf parcels in a steamer. Steam for approximately 20 minutes, or until the banana leaves turn a vibrant green and the flavors meld together.
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Serve: Carefully remove the parcels from the steamer and let them cool slightly before unwrapping. Serve warm as an aromatic and flavorful dish.
Enjoy your Pepesan Tongkol as a unique and delightful addition to any meal, showcasing the rich flavors of Indonesian cuisine wrapped in aromatic banana leaves.
