Tender Indonesian Steamed Fish in Banana Leaves (Pepes Ikan Mas)

Pepes Ikan Mas Tulang Lunak: A Delightful Indonesian Fish Dish

Pepes Ikan Mas Tulang Lunak, a delectable Indonesian dish, features tender fish wrapped in banana leaves and steamed to perfection. This recipe highlights the unique flavors of Indonesian spices and herbs, making it a delicious and exotic addition to your culinary repertoire. Follow these detailed steps to prepare this mouthwatering dish.

Ingredients:

• 7 whole carp fish
• 1 lime
• 5 starfruit (belimbing wuluh)
• 3 bunches of basil (kemangi)
• 8 bay leaves (salam)
• 2 stalks of lemongrass
• Vegetable oil (for sautéing spices)
• Banana leaves (enough to wrap the fish; either steamed or dried)

Spice Paste:

• 10 shallots
• 8 garlic cloves
• 5 pieces of turmeric root (kunyit)
• 3 pieces of galangal (lengkuas)
• 5 candlenuts
• 1/2 teaspoon of coriander
• 8 curly red chilies (adjust to taste)
• 3 bird’s eye chilies
• 1/2 tablespoon of brown sugar
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 tablespoon of seasoning powder (Royco)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Fish:

   • Clean the carp thoroughly, removing the innards and gills. Rinse well.
   • Rub the fish with lime juice and set aside to marinate.

2. Make the Spice Paste:

   • Blend or grind the shallots, garlic, turmeric, galangal, candlenuts, chilies, brown sugar, and coriander into a smooth paste.

3. Cook the Spice Paste:

   • Heat a bit of vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat.
   • Sauté the spice paste until the moisture evaporates and the paste becomes fragrant.
   • Season with salt and Royco to taste. Cook for a few more minutes, then remove from heat.

4. Season the Fish:

   • Rub the spice paste all over the fish, ensuring it’s well-coated.

5. Wrap the Fish:

   • Place a piece of banana leaf on a flat surface.
   • Add a few slices of starfruit, lemongrass, bay leaves, and basil on top of the leaf.
   • Place a seasoned fish on top of the herbs and fruits.
   • Wrap the fish in the banana leaf, securing the package with toothpicks.

6. Steam the Fish:

   • Arrange the wrapped fish in a pressure cooker.
   • Cook for approximately 60 minutes to ensure the fish is tender and infused with the flavors.

7. Grill the Fish:

   • Remove the fish from the pressure cooker and carefully unwrap.
   • Grill the wrapped fish on a non-stick pan or skillet until the banana leaves become slightly crispy and dry.

8. Serve:

   • Remove the fish from the banana leaves and place on a serving dish.
   • Garnish with additional fresh basil and starfruit slices if desired.

9. Enjoy:

   • Serve Pepes Ikan Mas Tulang Lunak hot and enjoy this authentic Indonesian delight with steamed rice or as part of a larger meal.

Bon Appétit and happy cooking!