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Ikan kuah asam
Fish in clear sour broth
Ikan kuah asam: Maluku's fish in a clear sour broth of lime, tomato, chilli and lemongrass
Across Ambon in Maluku and the coasts of North Sulawesi, ikan kuah asam is the soup families eat almost daily with papeda or rice, made from whatever fish came in that morning. The broth is thin and clear, bright with lime and tomato, warm with chilli and lemongrass, with chunks of fish poached just until they flake. It is light but filling, with about 28 g of protein a portion from the fish. The common mistake is adding the lime juice too early and boiling it: it turns bitter, so squeeze it in at the end. Chef's tip: use a firm, meaty fish such as tuna, mackerel or snapper, cut into large chunks, so it holds together in the broth.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 1 ⅓ lb firm fish (tuna, snapper or mackerel)cut into 5 cm chunks
- 1.2 litres water
- 5 shallotsthinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlicthinly sliced
- ¾ in fresh turmericsliced, or ½ tsp ground
- 2 lemongrassstalks, bruised
- 3 tomatoescut into wedges
- 5 bird's eye chilliesleft whole, or to taste
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp sugar
- 2 limesjuiced
- 1 handful lemon basil or Thai basil
- 2 spring onionssliced
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Bring 1.2 litres water to the boil in a pot with 5 shallots, 3 cloves garlic, ¾ in fresh turmeric, 2 lemongrass and 4 kaffir lime leaves. Simmer for 5 minutes so the broth takes on the aromatics.
7 minStep 2: Add 3 tomatoes, 5 bird's eye chillies, 1 ½ tsp salt and ½ tsp sugar and simmer 2 minutes, until the tomatoes start to soften.
2 minStep 3: Lower in 1 ⅓ lb firm fish (tuna, snapper or mackerel), bring back to a gentle simmer and cook for 6–8 minutes without stirring, until the fish is opaque all through and just flakes.
8 minStep 4: Turn off the heat. Stir in 2 limes, 1 handful lemon basil or Thai basil and 2 spring onions, then taste: the broth should be clearly sour, salty and a little hot. Adjust with salt or lime and serve straight away.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 180 kcal
- Protein
- 28 g
- Carbs
- 6 g
- Fat
- 4 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does ikan kuah asam take?
- About 30 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of shallots?
- Half an onion per 2 shallots.
- What can I use instead of garlic?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
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