Bali Breeze Grilled Fish with Fragrant Spices Ikan Bakar
Bali Breeze: Get Ready to Grill Some Amazing Fish!
Fancy a trip to Bali without leaving your kitchen? Have you ever tried Balinese Ikan Bakar (Balinese Grilled Fish) ? This recipe will transport you straight to the Indonesian sunshine.
Imagine the delicious smell of smoky, spicy fish.
A Taste of Indonesia
Ikan Bakar simply means grilled fish in Indonesian. It's a popular dish throughout the archipelago, especially in Balinese Cuisine . This Ikan Bakar Recipe uses fresh fish slathered in a vibrant spice paste.
The recipe takes about two hours, including prep and marinating. It serves four people.
Why You'll Love This Grilled Seafood
This Grilled Seafood is seriously good for you. Fish is packed with protein and omega-3s. It's a perfect dish for a summer BBQ or a quick weeknight meal.
What makes this Indonesian Food special? The explosion of flavour! The spice paste is the key.
Gather Your Ingredients
You'll need a few things for this Spicy Grilled Fish Recipe . Don't worry, you can find most of them at your local Asian market.
The key players are shallots, garlic, ginger, galangal, and turmeric. Trust me, it’s worth the trip for authentic Balinese flavour.
Spice Up Your Life with Bumbu
First, you need to make the spice paste, or "bumbu". Grab your food processor or mortar and pestle. Blend the shallots, garlic, ginger, galangal, turmeric, chillies, coriander seeds, peppercorns, and shrimp paste until smooth.
This is the heart of the Indonesian Grilled Fish .
Marinate Like a Pro
Next, score your fish make a few cuts on each side. This helps the marinade sink in and ensures even cooking.
Rub that beautiful spice paste all over the fish. Let it marinate in the fridge for at least an hour.
I often marinate mine for two hours. The longer, the better the Southeast Asian Grilled Fish .
Grill Time!
Preheat your grill to medium heat. Make sure the grates are clean and lightly oiled. Grill the fish for about 6- 8 minutes per side.
It should be cooked through and flake easily with a fork. Baste with any leftover marinade during the last few minutes.
This will give it an extra layer of flavour.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your Balinese Ikan Bakar (Balinese Grilled Fish) with lime wedges. Nasi Goreng or Gado Gado are excellent side dishes. For an extra kick, try Sambal Matah.
Trust me, your taste buds will thank you.
Ingredients & Equipment: Let's Get This Party Started!
So, fancy a taste of Bali? This Balinese Ikan Bakar (Balinese Grilled Fish Recipe) is where it’s at! The secret's in the spice, so let's gather our bits and bobs.
Main Ingredients for Flavour Town
Okay, here’s what you’ll need. Don't worry, it’s not rocket science.
- Spice Paste (Bumbu)
- Shallots: 4 (about 100g / 3.5 oz )
- Garlic: 4 cloves (about 12g / 0.4 oz )
- Ginger: 2 inch (about 25g / 0.9 oz )
- Galangal: 2 inch (about 25g / 0.9 oz ) (or more ginger!)
- Fresh turmeric: 1 inch (about 12g / 0.4 oz ) (or 1 tsp ground turmeric)
- Red chillies: 1-2 , adjust to your spice tolerance
- Coriander seeds: 1 tsp
- Black peppercorns: ½ tsp
- Shrimp paste: ½ tsp , toasted(Optional)
- Vegetable oil: 1 tbsp
- Tamarind paste: 1 tbsp
- Brown sugar: 1 tsp
- Salt: ½ tsp
- The Fish
- Whole fish: 4 , about 200-250g (7-9 oz) each. Snapper, sea bass, or mackerel are fab.
- Vegetable oil: 2 tbsp , for grilling
- Lime wedges, for serving. Don't skimp!
Quality Check: The fresher your turmeric and ginger, the better. Honestly, it makes a massive difference! The fish should smell lovely and fresh, not fishy.
Seasoning Notes: Aromatic Magic
This Ikan Bakar Recipe isn't just grilled fish ; it’s an experience. Don’t hold back on the Indonesian herbs and spices! The combo of ginger, galangal, and turmeric is essential .
They create that signature Balinese aroma.
If you can't find galangal, just use more ginger. It’s not quite the same, but it’ll do in a pinch.
For extra depth, a tiny bit of toasted shrimp paste works wonders. (But skip it if you're veggie, of course!).
Equipment Needed: Keep It Simple
You don't need fancy gadgets for this Indonesian Food . Just a few basics.
- Food processor (or mortar and pestle). Get ready to grind!
- Grill (charcoal or gas). A grill pan works too.
- Basting brush. Handy for that extra flavour kick.
No fancy grill? Don't sweat it. A grill pan on your hob will do the trick. You just won’t get that gorgeous smoky flavour you get with the real deal.
And let's be real, Grilled Seafood is always better on the grill.
Bali Breeze: Let’s Get Grilling!
Alright, listen up buttercups! We're diving into the delicious world of Balinese Ikan Bakar (Balinese Grilled Fish) today. Honestly, this isn’t just any old Grilled Fish .
This is a flavour explosion, a little taste of Indonesian Cuisine right in your kitchen. So, if you love Indonesian Food and Grilled Seafood , get ready.
Prep Steps: Channel Your Inner Chef
First things first, mise en place , darlings! It is so important. Get everything prepped before you even think about turning on the heat.
Chop your shallots, garlic, ginger, galangal, and turmeric. Measure out your spices like coriander seeds and black peppercorns. Have your tamarind paste and brown sugar ready.
Get your Grilled Fish prepared. Sounds like a lot, right? Honestly, it’s worth it. It helps you to be organised, and it saves time.
How to Sizzle Like a Pro: The Ikan Bakar Recipe
- Blitz all your spice paste ingredients (except the oil) in a food processor until it’s smooth. It’s okay if it’s still a bit rough.
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté the spice paste for about 5 minutes. You'll know it's ready when it smells amazing and the oil separates.
- Score your fish on both sides. Slather that beautiful spice paste all over, inside and out. Now, let it marinate for at least 1 hour, or even better, 2 hours.
- Preheat your grill to medium heat. Lightly oil the grates so the fish doesn’t stick. This is critical !
- Grill for 6- 8 minutes per side, until cooked through. Baste with any leftover marinade during the last few minutes.
- Serve with lime wedges and your fave sides!
Pro Tips: Elevate Your Indonesian Grilled Fish
- Don’t skip toasting that shrimp paste (belacan/terasi). Trust me, it makes a world of difference.
- Deeply score the fish. This helps the marinade penetrate.
- Keep your grill clean. No one likes a sticky fish situation.
- Avoid overcooking the fish! It should flake easily with a fork.
- make-ahead? You can prepare the spice paste a day in advance! This Southeast Asian Grilled Fish dish brings a Balinese twist to your table. So go on, spice up your life with this flavourful and fragrant Spicy Grilled Fish Recipe and create your perfect Balinese Grilled Fish Recipe . Bon appétit!
Recipe Notes for the Best Balinese Ikan Bakar
Right, let’s talk shop about this Balinese Ikan Bakar (Balinese Grilled Fish) . It's not just chucking a fish on the barbie.
We want a flavour explosion! Let's dive into the nitty gritty, yeah? This is how you level up your Indonesian cuisine game.
Plating Like a Pro: Serving Suggestions
Presentation matters, doesn't it? For my Balinese Grilled Fish Recipe I would advice that your plate should look like you're on holiday! Think vibrant.
Serve the Ikan Bakar Recipe on a bed of fluffy white rice. Add a dollop of Sambal Matah if you’re feeling brave, that stuff is hot! A fresh Indonesian Food salad, like Gado Gado (with peanut sauce), cuts through the richness nicely.
And don't forget lime wedges.
For beverages I would use a nice cold Bintang beer with the Indonesian Grilled Fish . That is absolutely the bomb, or some sweet iced tea would do the trick.
Honestly, just thinking about it makes me want to fire up the grill again.
Storage Secrets: Keeping it Fresh
Okay, so you've made too much Balinese Grilled Fish Recipe , happens to the best of us. For refrigeration, let it cool completely first.
Then pop it in an airtight container. It'll keep in the fridge for up to 2 days . Reheating? Gently does it.
Either in the microwave (but it can get a bit rubbery) or in a low oven, 150° C , until warmed through.
Freezing isn't ideal, TBH. Grilled Seafood tends to lose its texture. But, if you must , wrap it well to prevent freezer burn. Reheat from frozen in the oven.
Spice it Up (Or Down): Variations
Want to tweak the Spicy Grilled Fish Recipe ? Go wild! For a milder version of Balinese Ikan Bakar (Balinese Grilled ), deseed those chillies in the spice paste.
For extra heat, add a scotch bonnet to the Indonesian Food .
I know some of you are veggie. Swap the fish for portobello mushrooms. They soak up all that lovely Balinese marinade.
Marinate them well and grill them until tender. For anyone that needs a shrimp paste substitute. I would suggest a teaspoon of soy sauce for umami flavour.
Nutrition Nuggets: Goodness Inside
This Ikan Bakar Recipe isn't just tasty; it's pretty good for you. We are talking about lean protein, healthy fats from the fish, and loads of antioxidants from those Indonesian Cuisine spices.
Expect approximately 350 calories per serving. Also, about 35 grams of protein. Not bad, eh ?
So there you have it. This Southeast Asian Grilled Fish is easier than it sounds. Just follow the steps and don’t be afraid to experiment.
Now, go impress your mates with some top-notch Indonesian Grilled Fish . You've got this!.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of fish is best for Balinese Ikan Bakar (Balinese Grilled)?
Traditionally, snapper or sea bass are excellent choices for Balinese Ikan Bakar. Their firm flesh holds up well to grilling and absorbs the fragrant spices beautifully. However, don't be afraid to experiment!
Mackerel, tilapia, barramundi, or even salmon can also be used successfully, just adjust cooking times accordingly. Think of it like choosing your favourite biscuit to dunk in your tea it's all about personal preference!
Help! I can't find some of the ingredients for the spice paste. Are there any substitutions I can make?
No worries, mate! Finding exotic ingredients can sometimes be a right pain. If you can't find galangal, use ginger as a substitute. For fresh turmeric, you can use ground turmeric (about 1 teaspoon).
If shrimp paste (belacan/terasi) is unavailable or you're vegetarian, omit it or add a teaspoon of soy sauce for that umami kick, a bit like using Worcestershire sauce in a pinch!
How do I prevent the fish from sticking to the grill when making Balinese Ikan Bakar (Balinese Grilled)?
Sticky fish is a common grilling woe, but easily avoided! Make sure your grill grates are clean and preheated to medium heat. Before placing the fish on the grill, lightly oil the grates with vegetable oil. You can also brush the fish with a little extra oil before grilling.
Scoring the fish also helps prevent sticking, as well as helping the marinade penetrate. Think of it like greasing a cake tin before baking essential for a smooth release!
How long does Balinese Ikan Bakar (Balinese Grilled) last, and what's the best way to store leftovers?
Leftover Balinese Ikan Bakar can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Make sure to let the fish cool down completely before storing it. When reheating, you can use a microwave, oven (wrap in foil to prevent drying), or even a quick pan-fry.
However, like a good cuppa, it's always best enjoyed fresh!
Can I make the spice paste for Balinese Ikan Bakar ahead of time?
Absolutely! Making the spice paste in advance is a great way to save time, especially if you're having a few mates over for a BBQ. The spice paste can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This allows the flavours to meld together even more, resulting in an even tastier Ikan Bakar.
Just like a good curry, it often tastes better the next day!
Is Balinese Ikan Bakar healthy? What are the nutritional benefits?
Balinese Ikan Bakar can definitely be part of a healthy diet! Fish is a great source of lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids. The spice paste is packed with beneficial herbs and spices like ginger, turmeric, and garlic, which have anti inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Grilling is also a healthier cooking method than frying, as it minimizes the addition of extra fats. It's a win-win delicious and nutritious, like having your cake and eating it!
Bali Breeze Grilled Fish With Fragrant Spices Ik
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 350 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 20g |
| Fiber | 10g |
