Tropical Pineapple Patin Fish Stew

Pineapple-Scented Patin Fish Stew (Pindang Patin Kuah Nanas)

Ingredients

For the Spice Paste:

• 3 cloves garlic
• 7 shallots
• 4 small red chilies
• 2 inches fresh turmeric
• 1 tablespoon tamarind water

For the Additional Seasonings:

• 4 kaffir lime leaves
• 1 stalk lemongrass
• 1 stalk green onion, sliced
• A handful of Thai basil leaves
• 4 cm ginger, bruised
• 4 cm galangal, bruised
• 5 small red chilies
• 1/2 pineapple, cut into small pieces

For the Final Touches:

• 1 red tomato, sliced
• 1 green tomato, sliced
• 1 whole patin fish, cleaned and cut into chunks
• Sugar and salt, to taste
• 700 ml water

Instructions

1. Prepare the Spice Paste: Begin by blending the garlic, shallots, red chilies, and fresh turmeric until smooth. Add the tamarind water to the mixture and blend again.

2. Cook the Base: In a large pot, bring the water to a boil. Add the spice paste and stir until fragrant, which should take about 2-3 minutes.

3. Add Additional Seasonings: Incorporate the kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, sliced green onion, Thai basil leaves, bruised ginger, bruised galangal, and the additional small red chilies. Season with sugar and salt according to your taste preferences. Allow the mixture to simmer, infusing the flavors for about 10 minutes.

4. Add the Fish: Gently place the chunks of patin fish into the pot. Let it cook until the fish is half-done, approximately 10-15 minutes.

5. Incorporate Pineapple and Tomatoes: Add the pineapple pieces, red tomato slices, and green tomato slices to the pot. Continue to simmer until the fish is fully cooked and the flavors meld together, which should take another 10 minutes.

6. Final Taste Check: Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning with more sugar or salt if necessary.

7. Serve: Ladle the stew into bowls and garnish with extra Thai basil leaves if desired. Enjoy the aromatic and flavorful Pineapple-Scented Patin Fish Stew!

This savory and tangy stew combines the delicate taste of patin fish with the vibrant flavors of pineapple and aromatic spices, making it a delightful dish for any meal.