Asam Padeh Patin Tahu (Spicy and Sour Catfish with Tofu)

Ingredients:

• 1 whole catfish (Ikan Patin), cut into 6 pieces or as desired
• Silken tofu (Tahu Sutra), cut into desired pieces
• 2 cm galangal (Lengkuas), bruised
• 1 stalk lemongrass (Sereh), bruised
• 3 tablespoons ground chili paste (Cabe Giling), or to taste (I use Padang chili paste, which is very spicy, so no need for additional bird’s eye chilies)
• 1 bay leaf (Daun Salam)
• 2 kaffir lime leaves (Daun Jeruk)
• 1 lime (Jeruk Nipis)
• Salt, to taste
• 1 piece asam kandis (a type of dried tamarind)
• 2 glasses of water

For the spice paste (Bumbu Halus):

• 5 shallots (Bawang Merah)
• 3 cloves garlic (Bawang Putih)
• 2 cm ginger (Jahe)
• 3 candlenuts (Kemiri)
• Bird’s eye chilies (Rawit), for extra spiciness if using Javanese curly chili (Cabe Kriting Jawa)

Preparation Steps:

1. Prepare the Catfish:

   • Wash the catfish pieces thoroughly.
   • Rub them with lime juice and salt, letting them sit for about 15 minutes to remove any fishy odor.
   • Rinse the catfish pieces again and set aside.

2. Cook the Spice Paste:

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   • Blend the shallots, garlic, ginger, and candlenuts into a smooth paste.
   • In a pot, add the spice paste along with the galangal, lemongrass, bay leaf, and kaffir lime leaves.
   • Pour in 2 glasses of water and bring the mixture to a boil.

3. Cook the Catfish and Tofu:

   • Once the water is boiling, add the catfish pieces and let them cook briefly.
   • Add the tofu pieces to the pot.
   • Stir in the asam kandis and season with salt to taste.

4. Adjust and Simmer:

   • Let the mixture simmer until the broth thickens slightly.
   • Taste the broth and adjust the spiciness by adding more chili paste if necessary.
   • Be gentle when stirring to avoid breaking the catfish pieces.

5. Final Touches:

   • Once the catfish is cooked through and the broth has reached the desired thickness, remove the asam kandis to prevent the broth from becoming overly sour or bitter.
   • Serve the Asam Padeh Patin Tahu hot, and enjoy!

This traditional Indonesian dish combines the delicate texture of silken tofu with the robust flavor of catfish, all enveloped in a tantalizingly spicy and sour broth. Perfect for a hearty meal, Asam Padeh Patin Tahu is sure to be a hit for those who love bold and vibrant flavors. Enjoy this dish with a side of steamed rice for a complete and satisfying dining experience!