Tangy Spicy Indonesian Tilapia (Pesmol Ikan Mas)

Pesmol Ikan Mas: A Delightful Indonesian Fish Dish

Ingredients:

• 500 grams of tilapia fish (ikan mas)
• 1 lime (jeruk nipis)
• 1 stalk lemongrass (sere), smashed
• To taste: Vinegar and granulated sugar
• 2 kaffir lime leaves (daun jeruk)
• 10 green bird’s eye chilies (cabe rawit hijau), left whole

For the spice paste (bumbu halus):

• 9 red bird’s eye chilies (cabe rawit merah)
• A small piece of ginger (jahe)
• A small piece of turmeric (kunyit)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper (lada bubuk)
• 5 shallots (bawang merah)
• 2 cloves garlic (bawang putih)
• 4 candlenuts (kemiri)
• 1/2 large tomato
• To taste: Salt

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Fish:

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   • Clean the tilapia thoroughly and rub it with lime juice. Rinse the fish again until clean.
   • Score the fish lightly and season it with a bit of salt. Fry the fish in hot oil until it turns golden brown and crispy. Set aside.

2. Cook the Spice Paste:

   • In a blender or food processor, combine the red bird’s eye chilies, ginger, turmeric, ground black pepper, shallots, garlic, candlenuts, and the large tomato. Blend until smooth.
   • Heat some oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté the spice paste until fragrant and aromatic.

3. Create the Pesmol Sauce:

   • Add the smashed lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and whole green bird’s eye chilies to the pan with the sautéed spice paste. Stir well.
   • Pour in enough water to create a sauce. Adjust the taste with vinegar and granulated sugar according to your preference.
   • Allow the sauce to simmer for a few minutes until the flavors meld together.

4. Combine and Finish:

   • Gently add the fried fish to the pan. Stir to coat the fish with the sauce.
   • Cover the pan and let it simmer for a short while, allowing the fish to absorb the flavors and the sauce to reduce slightly.
   • Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

5. Serve:

   • Once the sauce has thickened and the fish is well-coated, remove from heat.
   • Serve the Pesmol Ikan Mas hot, garnished with additional fresh chilies if desired.

This delightful dish showcases the rich flavors of Indonesian cuisine with a tangy, spicy, and aromatic sauce that pairs beautifully with the crispy tilapia. Enjoy your Pesmol Ikan Mas as a flavorful centerpiece for your meal!