Sweet and Savory Indonesian Braised Milkfish

Bandeng Masak Kecap: A Flavorful Indonesian Mackerel Delight

Ingredients:

• 2 Whole Bandeng (Milkfish) – Cleaned, cut into desired pieces
• 500 ml Cooking Oil – For frying
• 50 ml Cooking Oil – For sautéing
• 600 ml Water
• 2 Stalks Scallions – Roughly chopped
• For the Spice Paste:
  • 4 Cloves Garlic
  • 5 Shallots
• For Sliced Spices:
  • 3 Red Chilies
  • 5 Bird’s Eye Chilies (Optional)
  • 5 cm Galangal – Crushed
  • 2 Bay Leaves
  • 3 Kaffir Lime Leaves
• For Additional Seasoning:
  • 5-6 tbsp Sweet Soy Sauce (Optional)
  • 1 tsp Chicken Bouillon Powder
  • Salt – To taste
  • Sugar – To taste
  • Seasoning Powder – To taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Fish:
   Begin by preparing the bandeng (milkfish). If you’re using deboned bandeng, cut it into manageable pieces and rinse thoroughly. Drain well. Squeeze the pieces with lime juice to remove any fishy odor. Set aside.

2. Fry the Fish:
   Heat 500 ml of cooking oil in a large pan over medium heat. Fry the bandeng pieces until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove the fish from the pan and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.

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3. Prepare the Spice Paste:
   While the fish is frying, prepare the spice paste. Heat 50 ml of cooking oil in a separate pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and shallots, and sauté until fragrant and golden.

4. Add Sliced Spices:
   Next, add the red chilies, bird’s eye chilies (if using), crushed galangal, bay leaves, and kaffir lime leaves to the pan. Sauté for a few minutes until the spices are aromatic and well combined.

5. Combine and Simmer:
   Gently add the fried bandeng pieces into the pan with the spices. Pour in 600 ml of water and stir to combine. Season with sweet soy sauce (if using), chicken bouillon powder, salt, sugar, and seasoning powder according to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil.

6. Finish the Dish:
   Once the mixture is boiling, add the chopped scallions and stir everything together. Let it simmer for a few minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly and the flavors meld together.

7. Serve:
   Remove from heat and transfer the Bandeng Masak Kecap to a serving dish. This dish is best enjoyed hot, accompanied by steamed rice.

Enjoy this savory and sweet Indonesian delicacy, perfect for a family meal or special occasion.