Pallumara Cakalang (Spicy Skipjack Tuna Soup)
This traditional Indonesian soup, Pallumara Ikan Cakalang, combines tender chunks of skipjack tuna with a rich, tangy broth infused with tamarind, spices, and a medley of fiery chilies. It’s a warming and flavorful dish that’s both comforting and bold, perfect for any seafood lover’s menu.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Skipjack tuna | 1 whole fish, cut into pieces |
| Tamarind | 1 handful |
| Water | 1000 ml |
| Curly red chilies | 7 whole |
| Bird’s eye chilies | 15 whole |
| Garlic cloves | 2 cloves |
| Shallots | 5 cloves |
| Candlenut | 1 whole |
| Ground pepper | ½ teaspoon |
| Ground turmeric | ½ tablespoon |
| Cooking oil | 5 tablespoons |
| Chicken seasoning powder (optional) | 1 teaspoon |
| Salt | To taste |
Instructions
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Prepare the Tuna: In a large skillet or pot, place the skipjack tuna pieces. Set aside.
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-
Tamarind Water Preparation: In a separate bowl, combine tamarind with 250 ml of water. Squeeze and knead the tamarind in the water, similar to extracting coconut milk, until you obtain a rich tamarind juice. Pour this liquid over the fish in the skillet. Repeat this process 3 more times with the remaining 750 ml of water, to reach a total of 1000 ml tamarind-infused water in the skillet.
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Spice Paste: In a blender or mortar, grind the curly red chilies, bird’s eye chilies, garlic, shallots, candlenut, and ground pepper to form a smooth paste. Add chicken seasoning powder and salt to taste. Once smooth, pour this spice mixture into the skillet with the fish.
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Add Seasonings: Add the ground turmeric and cooking oil to the pot, ensuring everything is well combined.
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Cook: Place the skillet over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 10–12 minutes, allowing the fish to cook through and the flavors to meld into a deliciously tangy and spicy broth.
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Serve: Carefully ladle the soup into bowls, ensuring each serving includes some fish and a portion of the broth. Serve hot, ideally with steamed rice.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
| Nutrient | Amount (per serving) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 200-250 kcal |
| Protein | 25-30 g |
| Carbohydrates | 5 g |
| Fat | 10-15 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sodium | 500-700 mg |
Note: Nutritional values may vary based on portion size and specific ingredient brands.
Enjoy the aromatic and zesty delight of Pallumara Ikan Cakalang, a dish that brings the authentic flavors of Indonesia right to your table!
