To serve, the fish is topped with a deliciously punchy Indonesian tomato salsa.
Golden Turmeric Fish
Everybody has heard these days that turmeric is good for you.
Well, Id love to tell you that Im including turmeric into this recipe for health reasons.
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Turmeric is a fairly common ingredient in South-East Asian cooking (even more so inIndian food!
), whether in powdered or fresh form.
In todays recipe, its used in ahomestyle Indonesian fish dish.
Fresh turmeric is the star ingredient in the bright-yellowIndonesian turmeric curry pastewhich we slather on to fish before baking.
Dont even think about skipping it, trust me!
I love the vibrant colour of the fish, and the striking contrast of the redSambal Tomat.
Turmeric Curry Paste
Turmeric The key ingredient in this curry paste that makes it golden!
It looks a bit like ginger on the outside, and is bright orange on the inside.
The flavour is mild but can actually be quite bitter when eaten by itself.
Its primary use in cooking is for healthfulness and for colour.
WARNING!It stains so use gloves and avoid porous surfaces once cut.
Lime leaves freeze 100% perfectly, I always have a stash!
Ginger and garlic Essential aromatics present in most South-East Asian curries!
It has an addictive, mellow and earthy lemon smell and flavour!
To prepare lemongrass, cut off the top half of the stem (its too dry).
Then slice to use in the recipe.
Candlenuts actually have a very similar flavour and texture to macadamia nuts, though they are rougher.
I used macadamia nuts because theyre readily accessible for me!
Substitutions I hadnt tried, but confident that sunflower seeds or pepitas will work just fine.
It gives the Sambal Tomat a nice hum of warmth.
Alternative: chives (not the same flavour, but will bring another flavour to the salsa).
Fish for Golden Turmeric Fish
I used John Dory in this baked fish recipe.
See below for a list of other suitable fish.
Skin on or off?Either is fine, it really wont affect the bake time.
But the skin wont be crispy.
If this is a turn-off for you, just eat the flesh and leave the skin.
Fillets this thick will generally come off medium and larger fish.
Opt for the thicker cuts!
Unless youre extremely careful they can become dry inside so are very prone to overcooking in the oven.
Were essentially making our own Turmeric Curry Paste here, yet its a simple dump-and-blitz job!
Then just pop it in the fridge while you prepare the curry paste.
10 minutes is all we need here, its not meant to be marinated for too long.
Make turmeric curry paste This is simply a plonk-and-blitz job.
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Then blitz away until its a pretty smooth paste.
More on the ideal internal temp below!
Sambal tomat(simple Indonesian salsa) While the fish is in the oven, make the salsa topping.
Here are some rice options for you (even a faux-rice!
Changs Crispy Noodle Salad!
