Easy Malay Recipe: Masak Asam Rebus Ikan

For uber Malay comfort food at home, cook up this easy recipe for masak asam rebus ikan, aka hot sour fish curry and serve up with some rice.

Masak Asam Rebus Ikan Recipe

Ingredients

• 20 g dried chillies
• 1 cm length turmeric root, sliced
• 100 g shallots, peeled and sliced
• 5 g (1 tsp) shrimp paste (belacan)
• 5 – 6 pieces tamarind slices (asam keping)
• 700 ml water
• 5 large sprigs daun kesum (Vietnamese mint)
• 5 ikan kembung (tropical mackerel), around 700 g, gutted and cleaned
• Salt and sugar to taste

Method:

1. Snip the chillies into 2-cm lengths and soak in hot water until softened, about 15 minutes. Rinse well and discard most of the seeds.
2. Place the drained chillies, turmeric, shallots and shrimp paste into the jug of an electric blender. Add half cup water and blend finely.
3. Place the blended chilli paste into a saucepan with the tamarind slices and water. Bring to the boil and simmer 10 minutes on medium heat. Add the sprigs of daun kesum and fish. Cook gently for 8 to 10 minutes.
4. Season to taste with salt and about 1 scant teaspoon of sugar.

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