Pindang Ikan Gabus: Spicy and Tangy Delight
Ingredients:
- 500 grams of snakehead fish (ikan gabus), cleaned and cut into pieces
- 1 tablespoon of thick tamarind juice
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar
- 1 small pineapple, chopped coarsely
- 3 stalks of Thai basil leaves (take only the leaves)
- Water, as needed
For the spice paste:
- 10 red chilies
- 8 bird’s eye chilies
- 5 shallots
- 5 cherry tomatoes
- 1 block of shrimp paste (terasi)
Instructions:
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Prepare the Fish: Clean the snakehead fish thoroughly and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
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Make the Spice Paste: Blend the red chilies, bird’s eye chilies, shallots, cherry tomatoes, and shrimp paste until smooth.
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Cook the Fish: In a pot, combine the spice paste with the fish pieces. Add the salt, sugar, chopped pineapple, tamarind juice, and enough water to cover the fish.
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Simmer: Place the pot over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Let it simmer until the fish is cooked through and the flavors are well blended. Adjust seasoning as needed.
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Add the Herbs: Once the fish is cooked, add the Thai basil leaves. Stir well and turn off the heat.
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Serve: Enjoy the Pindang Ikan Gabus hot, ideally with warm rice. This dish’s simplicity and vibrant flavors make it a delightful meal.
Enjoy this dish hot and fresh, and savor the perfect balance of spicy and tangy flavors!