Pepes Ikan Mas Tulang Lunak

Delight your taste buds with Pepes Ikan Mas Tulang Lunak, a traditional Indonesian dish that offers a rich combination of flavors and textures, featuring tender carp enveloped in fragrant herbs and spices. This dish not only highlights the succulent qualities of the fish but also transforms the often-overlooked bones into a tender delicacy. Perfect for a family meal or a special gathering, this recipe will guide you through the steps of creating this flavorful masterpiece.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create this delicious Pepes Ikan Mas Tulang Lunak:

Spice Paste (Bumbu Halus)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Fish

1. Clean the Carp: Begin by cleaning the carp fish thoroughly. Remove the entrails and gills, then rinse the fish under cold water until clean.
2. Marinate with Lime: Squeeze the juice of the lime over the cleaned fish, ensuring all surfaces are coated. Set aside to marinate while you prepare the spice paste.

Step 2: Make the Spice Paste

3. Blend the Spices: In a blender or food processor, combine the red shallots, garlic, turmeric, galangal, candlenuts, curly chili peppers, bird’s eye chili peppers, brown sugar, coriander, and a pinch of salt. Blend until you achieve a smooth paste. If necessary, add a small amount of water to facilitate blending.

Step 3: Sauté the Spice Paste

4. Cook the Paste: Heat a small amount of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the blended spice paste. Sauté until the paste reduces and the raw smell dissipates, approximately 5–7 minutes. Add salt and Royco seasoning to taste.

Step 4: Prepare the Fish for Steaming

5. Coat the Fish: Generously rub the sautéed spice mixture over the marinated carp, ensuring the spices penetrate the fish well.
6. Wrap the Fish: Take a piece of banana leaf, and place a portion of the spiced fish on it. Top the fish with slices of starfruit, bruised lemongrass, bay leaves, and a handful of basil leaves. Wrap the banana leaf tightly around the fish and secure it with a toothpick.

Step 5: Steam the Fish

7. Prepare for Cooking: Arrange the wrapped fish in a pressure cooker, making sure they are stacked securely but not overly crowded.
8. Cook the Fish: Seal the pressure cooker and cook for approximately 60 minutes over medium heat. This step ensures the fish becomes tender and the flavors meld beautifully.

Step 6: Final Touches

9. Grill for Texture: After steaming, remove the fish from the pressure cooker and unwrapped carefully. Preheat a non-stick skillet or a teflon pan over medium heat. Place the wrapped fish in the skillet, and grill until the banana leaves begin to dry and char slightly, imparting a smoky flavor to the dish.

Step 7: Serve

10. Plate and Enjoy: Remove the Pepes Ikan Mas Tulang Lunak from the skillet and serve hot. This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed rice and a side of fresh vegetables. Enjoy the unique combination of flavors and textures, savoring each tender bite of the fish.

Selamat menikmati pepes ikan mas tulang lunak! (Enjoy your tender carp pepes!)

Nutritional Information

This Pepes Ikan Mas Tulang Lunak recipe offers a delightful culinary experience that celebrates the rich flavors of Indonesian cuisine while ensuring that even the bones of the fish can be enjoyed tenderly. Try this recipe for your next family gathering and impress your guests with this traditional dish that encapsulates warmth and hospitality!