Banana Leaf Steamed Fish (Pepes Ikan)

500g ikan kembung (horse mackerel) or ikan selar (scad)
3/4 cup thick santan (coconut milk) from 1/2 coconut
1 tbsp salt
4 tbsp oil
some banana leaves, softened
Spices, ground :
10 red chilies
10 shallots
5 pipe garlic
1 cm lengkuas (galangal)
1 cm kunyit (saffron)
10 buah keras (candlenuts)
1.5 cm cube toasted belacan (shrimp paste)
1 daun limau purut (kaffir lime leaves)

Clean and season the fish with salt and leave for about 10 minutes. Steam fish till cooked (about 10 minutes). Leave to cool before removing the bones.

Heat oil, add ground spices and saute till fragrant. Add thick coconut oil, salt to taste and bring to boil. Dish up. Mix the fish meat with spices carefully, taking care not to break up the meat too much.

Wrap with banana leaves and steam for about 15 minutes.
Serve hot or cold with rice.

Posted in: healthy food, main dishes, recipes, seafood, spicy, traditional