Title: Kare Ikan (Fish Curry)
Categories: Indonesian Seafood Ceideburg
Yield: 4 Servings
| 1 1/2 | | Lb, cleaned weight fish |
| 6 | | Shallots or |
| 1 | lg | Onion |
| 2 | | Cloves garlic |
| 2 | ts | Ground coriander |
| 1 | ts | Ground ginger |
| 1/2 | ts | Powdered lemon grass or |
| 1 | | Blade fresh, lemon grass |
| 1 | ts | Chilli powder |
| 1 | | Salam leaf or bay-leaf |
| 1/2 | ts | Turmeric |
| 1/2 | c | Tamarind water |
| 1 | c | Of thick santen (coconut milk) |
| 2 | tb | Vegetable oil |
| | | Salt |
| | sl | Cucumber |
| | | Mint |
Fish curry is the literal translation of kare Ikan; but I should explain
that Indonesian 'curry' is rather different from Indian curries. The recipe
may be used for almost any fish. In the former version of this book I
suggested salmon steaks, which it suits well; but these are now rather
expensive. It is better to select a white fish with firm flesh, such as
haddock, angler-fish, swordfish or dogfish. In Australia the various fish
known as whiting would be a good choice. Americans might like to use
snappers. Whatever fish is used, it can be cut into small cubes or slices
before frying. Heat a little oil in a heavy frying-pan, and carefully
brown the fish in it. Meanwhile, in another frying-pan, fry the chopped
shallots (or onion) and garlic until tender. Stir in the chilli, ginger,
turmeric, coriander, lemon grass, salam, salt and tamarind water. Let this
mixture simmer for 10 minutes, then put in the fish. Cover, and simmer for
another 10 minutes. Add the santen and cook for a further 5 minutes. Serve
hot, garnished with very thin slices of cucumber and chopped mint.
(Alternatively, put the cucumber and mint into the kare itself for the last
2 minutes of cooking.) Incidentally, the same kare can be made with prawns.
There is no need to fry the prawns separately; but fry them in the mixture
of onion, etcetera for a few minutes before you put in the tamarind water.
Makes 4 servings. From "Indonesian Food and Cookery", Sri Owen, Prospect
Books, London, 1986." ISBN 0-907325-29-7. Posted by Stephen Ceideberg;
March 1 1993.