Spicy Mackerel & Fern Stir-Fry Delight

Tumis Pakis Suwir Ikan Tongkol

Ingredients:

• 2 small mackerel (ikan tongkol)
• 500g pakis (ferns), chopped
• 5 shallots, peeled
• 5 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1 turmeric root, peeled and sliced
• 1 lemongrass stalk, smashed
• 1 bay leaf
• 5 bird’s eye chilies (cabe rawit)
• 5 red chilies
• 1-inch piece of galangal, smashed
• Salt and seasoning salt, to taste
• Sugar, to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Mackerel:

   • First, deep-fry the mackerel until golden brown. Once cooked, shred the fish finely and set aside.

2. Prep the Pakis:

   • Wash the pakis thoroughly and chop into bite-sized pieces.

3. Prepare the Aromatics:

   • Blend the shallots, garlic, red chilies, bird’s eye chilies, and turmeric root into a smooth paste. Set aside.

4. Sauté the Spices:

   • Heat some oil in a pan. Sauté the spice paste along with the smashed lemongrass, galangal, bay leaf, and a pinch of salt until aromatic.

5. Cook the Pakis:

   • Add the chopped pakis to the pan. Stir-fry until the pakis are tender and cooked through.

6. Combine and Season:

   • Add the shredded mackerel to the pan, mixing gently. Season with salt, sugar, and seasoning salt to taste.

7. Final Touches:

   • Adjust the seasoning as needed. Once everything is well combined and heated through, remove from heat.

8. Serve:

   • Serve the Tumis Pakis Suwir Ikan Tongkol hot, and enjoy the delightful blend of flavors!

Tips:

• For extra flavor, you can add a squeeze of lime juice before serving.
• This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed rice.

Enjoy your cooking! 🌿🐟