Spicy Tongkol and Jengkol Balado Recipe
This delightful Indonesian dish, Tongkol dan Jengkol Balado, is a mouthwatering combination of spicy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors. The richness of the tuna (pindang tongkol) pairs perfectly with the distinct taste of jengkol, a traditional Southeast Asian bean known for its unique texture and robust flavor. Cooked in a fragrant, spicy Balado sauce, this dish is guaranteed to tantalize your taste buds. Perfect for those who love bold flavors and a little heat in their meals!
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Jengkol (Indonesian bean) | 200 grams |
| Pindang Tongkol (salted tuna) | 1 box |
| Sweet Soy Sauce (Kecap Manis) | 1 teaspoon |
| Roughly ground spice mix: | |
| Red Curly Chilies | 10 pieces |
| Orange Bird’s Eye Chilies (Cabe Rawit Orens) | 3 pieces |
| Shallots | 4 cloves |
| Garlic | 2 cloves |
| Tomato | 1/2 piece |
| Ginger (about pinky finger-sized) | 1 small piece |
| Salt | To taste |
| Sugar | To taste |
| Water | As needed |
Instructions
Step 1: Preparing the Jengkol
- Start by soaking the jengkol in water, preferably the water leftover from washing rice (this helps remove some of its natural bitterness). Let it soak for a minimum of 1 hour, or overnight for best results.
- After soaking, boil the jengkol with 1 teaspoon of coffee to soften it. Once the jengkol is tender, drain and peel off the skin. Gently crush each piece with a mortar and pestle or back of a spoon, then set aside.
Step 2: Fry the Ingredients
3. Heat oil in a pan and fry the tuna until slightly crispy, then remove and set aside.
4. In the same pan, fry the jengkol pieces until golden and crispy. Remove and set aside as well.
Step 3: Prepare the Balado Sauce
5. Using a mortar and pestle, blend the red curly chilies, orange bird’s eye chilies, shallots, garlic, tomato, and ginger into a coarse paste.
6. Heat a bit of oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the spice mixture and sauté until fragrant and aromatic, around 3–5 minutes.
7. Add a splash of water to loosen the sauce and let it simmer for a few more minutes.
Step 4: Combine and Cook
8. Add the fried jengkol and tuna into the pan with the Balado sauce. Stir well to coat everything with the sauce.
9. Season the dish with salt, sugar, and sweet soy sauce (kecap manis). Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the flavors are well blended and the dish is cooked through.
Step 5: Serve
10. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve the Tongkol dan Jengkol Balado hot with steamed rice, and enjoy the delightful mix of spicy, savory, and sweet flavors.
This hearty and flavorful dish is perfect for any occasion where you want to bring a little bit of Indonesian spice to the table. Whether you’re serving it to family or guests, Tongkol dan Jengkol Balado is sure to impress with its bold, distinctive taste.
