Tangy Golden Pickled Pomfret Fish

Pesmol Bawal with Acar Kuning (Golden Pickle)

Ingredients

• Fish and Vegetables:

  • 3 pomfret fish, halved
  • 2 carrots, julienned
  • 2 cucumbers, seeds removed and julienned

• Spices and Seasonings:

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  • 5 shallots
  • 3 cloves of garlic
  • 4 candlenuts (soak in water for easier crushing)
  • 1 stalk of lemongrass
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 3 kaffir lime leaves
  • 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger (roasted)
  • 2 thumb-sized pieces of turmeric (roasted)
  • 1 lime
  • Chili peppers (according to taste)
  • Sugar (to taste)
  • Salt (to taste)
  • White pepper (to taste)
  • Chicken bouillon powder (to taste)
  • 2 dashes of fish sauce
  • 3 dashes of vinegar

Instructions

1. Preparing the Fish:

   • Clean the pomfret fish thoroughly.
   • Squeeze half a lime over the fish, rubbing it in to reduce any fishy odor. Set aside the other half of the lime for later use.

2. Frying the Fish:

   • Heat a generous amount of oil in a pan until it is very hot.
   • Reduce the heat to medium and carefully place the fish into the pan.
   • Fry the fish until it is cooked through and golden brown. Set aside.

3. Preparing the Spice Paste:

   • Grind shallots, garlic, and soaked candlenuts into a smooth paste. Set aside.
   • Crush the lemongrass stalk, bay leaves, and roasted ginger lightly to release their flavors.

4. Cooking the Spice Paste:

   • Heat a bit of oil in a pan and sauté the ground spice paste until fragrant.
   • Add the crushed lemongrass, bay leaves, and roasted ginger. Sauté briefly.

5. Making the Acar Kuning:

   • Pour in some water and bring to a boil.
   • Add the julienned carrots and cucumbers. Simmer for a few minutes until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.

6. Combining the Fish with the Sauce:

   • Add the fried fish to the pan.
   • Squeeze the remaining half of the lime over the fish.
   • Season with sugar, salt, white pepper, chicken bouillon powder, fish sauce, and vinegar.
   • Add whole chili peppers for a milder heat or grind them with the spice paste for a spicier dish.

7. Final Adjustments:

   • Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
   • Simmer for a few more minutes to let the flavors meld together.

8. Serving:

   • Serve hot with steamed rice.

Enjoy your delicious Pesmol Bawal with Acar Kuning, a delightful blend of tangy, spicy, and savory flavors that will surely tantalize your taste buds!