Spicy Sambal Tongkol Balado with Savory Shrimp Paste

Sambal Tongkol Balado with Shrimp Paste Flavor

Ingredients:

• 1 basket of Tongkol (mackerel tuna)
• 1 package of shrimp paste (Trasi udang)
• 3 tomatoes
• 2 large chilies and 9 bird’s eye chilies (cabe rawit)
• 3 shallots
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1 stalk of leek (daun pree)
• Potatoes, diced
• Salt, to taste
• Sugar, to taste
• Chicken bouillon powder (Royco ayam), to taste
• Water, as needed
• Tomato sauce, as needed

Steps:

1. Prepping the Main Ingredients:

   • Begin by heating some cooking oil in a pan.
   • Lightly fry the mackerel tuna (tongkol) until it’s half-cooked.
   • In the same oil, fry the diced potatoes until they are golden and cooked through. Set both the fish and potatoes aside.

2. Preparing the Spice Paste:

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   • In the same pan, fry the tomatoes, shrimp paste (trasi udang), bird’s eye chilies, large chilies, garlic, and shallots until they become fragrant and slightly caramelized.
   • Once fried, drain the excess oil from the spices and place them into a mortar (layah).
   • Grind the fried ingredients into a smooth paste, adding salt, sugar, and chicken bouillon powder (Royco ayam) to taste.

3. Cooking the Sambal:

   • Return the spice paste to the pan and sauté it until it becomes aromatic.
   • Add a sufficient amount of water to the pan to create a sauce-like consistency.
   • Introduce the fried potatoes and mackerel tuna to the pan, stirring to combine.
   • Add tomato sauce to taste, ensuring the flavors meld together well.

4. Final Touches:

   • Let the mixture simmer until most of the water has evaporated and the flavors have been absorbed by the fish and potatoes.
   • As a final touch, add the diagonally sliced leek (daun pree) and stir it in until just wilted.

5. Serving:

   • Once everything is well-combined and the flavors have infused, remove from heat.
   • Serve hot and enjoy your delicious Sambal Tongkol Balado with a distinctive shrimp paste flavor!

This spicy and savory dish, with its perfect balance of heat and umami from the shrimp paste, is sure to be a delightful addition to your meal repertoire. Enjoy it with steamed rice and perhaps a side of fresh vegetables for a complete, satisfying meal.