Pepes Tongkol / Steamed-grilled spicy cob fish wrapped in banana leaves

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Among other Indonesian food this is one of my favourite “Pepes Tongkol” ( steamed-grilled spicy cob fish wrapped in banana leaves)

I was extremely lucky when the first time I've got the recipe from my mom, listening over her explanations how to make a great Pepes Tongkol, it was truly exiting day

In the first time making, it turned just fine, to be honest I didn’t quite satisfied with the result, the fact that my mom pepes tongkol was the best, no way I can beat her.

After a view trial and more experiments until I find it as good as the one my mom made, perhaps its nearly close to a perfect one, I am very happy though...

Noted what she said, grind the chilli using stone made mortar and pestle *cobek, unfortunately I don’t have one and I have not decide to get one yet, it should be very soon…

I just process the chili through an electric grinder somehow it gaves almost to an ideal one.

Making pepes tongkol commonly using pindang tongkol *evaporated processing and preservation fish, if you are couldn’t find one just simply make use of fresh cob fish and then steamed, it should be fine.

*Cob fish may substitute with tuna or mackerel 

  Pepes TongkoL

   Steamed-grilled spicy cob fish wrapped in banana leaves

 

  makes 4 pepes

  2 pindang tongkol (cob fish) / I use steamed fresh cob fish

  substitute tuna or mackerel

  10 red chillies + 4 bird eye chillies

  (skip the bird eye chillies if you don’t like spicy)

  2 candle nuts

  4 slices galangal

  a pich of terasi *shrimp paste--optional

  8 blimbing wuluh substitute tomato- slices

  A bunch lemon basil ( daun kemangi ) / steam off

  Ikan bilis granules as enhancing the flavour--prefer without msg

  Salt

  Banana leaves

  Tooth picks

  Directions

  Prepare the fish, head off, debone and then halved the fish. Set aside

  In the electric grinder, grind the chillies, candle nuts, galangal,  

  terasi (shrimp paste).

  In a bowl, combine chili paste mixture, lemon basil, blimbing wuluh  
  slice tomato and the fish, using spoon or spatula and then mix all
  the ingredients until all covered with chili paste

 

  Lay about 2 layers of banana leaves, place 1 fish on top of the banana
  leaves. 
  
  Wrap and secure both ends with tooth picks, repeating the remaining  
  mixture

  Meanwhile prepare the steamer until its ready for steaming.

  
  Transfers the wraps into the steamer, steamed to cooked

  
  Grilled on each sides for another 5-10 mins or until the wraps turns  

  into charred color.

  

  *I used non stick pan to charred-grilled, it works fine

Have a wonderful weekend ...