Zesty Indonesian Tenggiri Fish in Spicy Turmeric Sauce

Pesmol Ikan Tenggiri: A Flavorful Indonesian Dish

Ingredients:

• 1/2 kg Tenggiri fish
• For the spice paste:
  • 10 shallots
  • 5 cloves garlic
  • 5 candlenuts
  • 3 red chilies
  • Turmeric (to taste)
  • Ginger (to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • Salt (to taste)
• Other ingredients:
  • 1 stalk lemongrass, bruised
  • 1 thumb-sized piece galangal, bruised
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 kaffir lime leaves
  • 1 tomato, chopped
  • 10 whole bird’s eye chilies
  • Water (as needed)
  • 1-2 teaspoons Masako (seasoning powder)
  • Sugar (to taste)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Fish:

   • Clean the Tenggiri fish thoroughly. Rub it with salt and a squeeze of lime juice, and let it marinate for approximately 15 minutes.

2. Fry the Fish:

   • Heat oil in a pan and fry the marinated fish until it is cooked through and golden brown. Set aside.

3. Prepare the Spice Paste:

   • Blend the shallots, garlic, candlenuts, red chilies, turmeric, and ginger into a smooth paste. You can use a mortar and pestle or a blender for this step.

4. Cook the Spice Paste:

   • In the same pan used for frying the fish, add a bit of oil if needed. Sauté the spice paste until fragrant.

5. Add Aromatics:

   • Add the bruised lemongrass, galangal, bay leaves, and kaffir lime leaves to the pan. Stir well to combine with the spice paste.

6. Incorporate Vegetables and Seasonings:

   • Add the chopped tomato to the pan and cook until it starts to soften.
   • Pour in enough water to create a sauce, then add Masako seasoning powder and a bit of sugar. Adjust the seasoning to taste.

7. Combine Fish and Sauce:

   • Gently add the fried fish into the pan, along with the whole bird’s eye chilies. Stir to coat the fish with the sauce.

8. Simmer:

   • Cover the pan and let it simmer, allowing the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken.

9. Final Touches:

   • Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as necessary. Cook until the sauce has reduced and coats the fish well.

10. Serve:

    • Serve the Pesmol Ikan Tenggiri hot, and enjoy this delightful Indonesian dish with steamed rice.

This recipe combines aromatic spices and fresh ingredients to create a flavorful dish that showcases the rich culinary traditions of Indonesia. Enjoy your cooking journey with this delicious Pesmol Ikan Tenggiri!