Pepes Ikan Woku Daun (Aromatic Fish in Banana Leaf Parcel)
In Indonesian & English (the English version is below the recipe written in Indonesian)
Bahan
2 ekor (800 gr) Ikan, 1 Jeruk nipis-peras
2 Sereh-geprek, 2 Pandan-potong 2, Garam
30 Daun kemangi, 8 Daun jeruk-iris halus
2 Daun bawang-iris2, Minyak secukupnya
2 Jeruk limau, 1 st Gula, 2 Daun pisang
2 batang Daun kunyit, 4 Daun salam (opsional)
Haluskan:
1 Sereh-putihnya saja, 3 cm Kunyit
8 Bawang merah, 3 cm Jahe, 4 Kemiri
8 Cabai merah & 2 Cabai hijau *
1 cm Lengkuas & 2 Bawang putih (opsional)
Cara membuat
Tumis bumbu halus hingga wangi. Beri gula & garam, angkat, campur dengan daun jeruk iris.
Belah perut ikan & bersihkan. Kerat2 badan ikan, lumuri dengan air nipis & garam, biarkan 5 menit. Lalu balur ikan (termasuk bagian dalamnya) dengan bumbu halus, biarkan 15 menit.
Susun daun2an & sereh dengan jumlah sama banyak di masing2 daun pisang. Letakkan ikan berbumbu di atasnya. Bungkus rapat & semat dengan tusuk gigi. Kukus 35-40 menit (sampai matang, tergantung ukuran ikan). Bakar/panggang pepes sejenak sebelum dihidangkan (opsional). Buka lapisan daun pisangnya lalu kucuri dengan air jeruk limau. Jika suka, dapat ditambah taburan daun bawang dan atau tomat iris setelah daun dibuka.
Hidangkan pepes dng nasi hangat & hidangan pendamping seperti (klik pada link untuk resep2nya): Urap Sayuran, Jukut Kacang Panjang, Tumis Kangkung, Tumis Putren Jamur, Orak Arik Sayuran
Ingredients
2 (800 gr) Fish, 2 Lemongrass-bruised
30 Lemon basil leaves, 2 Banana leaves
1 tsp Sugar, 2 Pandan leaves-halved, 1 Lime
8 Kaffir lime leaves-thinly sliced, enough Salt
2 Green onion-sliced, 2 Kaffir lime, Frying oil
2 stalks Turmeric leaf, 4 Bay leaves (optional)
Grind into a paste:
4 Candlenuts, 3 cm Turmeric, 3 cm Ginger
8 Red chilies & 2 Green chilies *
8 Shallots, 1 Lemongrass-white part only
1 cm Galangal & 2 Garlic cloves (optional)
Directions
Sauté the spices paste until fragrant. Add in sugar & enough salt. Remove from the heat & then mix it with sliced kaffir lime leaves.
Slit the fish stomach & clean the fish. Make shallow slashes in the thickest part of the flesh. Rub fish with some salt & lime juice; let it stand for 5 minutes. Rub all parts of the fish (including the inside part) with sautéed paste; let it stand for 15 minutes.
Place an even amount of leaves ingredients & lemongrass in 2 banana leaves. Place the fish & sauteed paste on top of it. Wrap them up tightly & pin with tooth picks. Steam for 35-40 minutes (until done-depends on the fish size). You could also than grill the wrapped fish for awhile before serving (optional). Unwrap the banana leaves & squeeze kaffir lime over the fish. Sprinkle some more sliced green onion and or tomato after you unwrapped the banana leaves.
* Discard chili seeds & membranes if you want the dish to be less spicy.
Serve the aromatic fish with warm steamed rice & vegetable dish such as (click on the link for the recipes): Vegetable Salad with grated Coconut, Balinese Creamy Long Bean Salad, Sautéed Water Spinach, Sautéed Baby Corn & Mushroom, Scrambled Vegetables & Egg