Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Catfish In Spicy Coconut Broth / Ikan Keli Masak Lemak Cili Padi

I made Ulam Pegaga in my last post and promised that I was going to post the recipe for Catfish in Spicy Coconut Broth or Ikan Keli Masak Lemak Cili Padi. This dish is common in Negri Sembilan, 1 of the states in Malaysia. People from that state basically eat very very spicy food. As much I love spicy food, I dont think I can ever eat like them. Mine is very mild compared to how they are usually made.

The last time I made Masak Lemak Cili Padi was with crabs and that was like maybe a year ago. After seeing Roz of Home Creation using catfish in her dish and MamaFami cooked Masak Lemak Cili Padi, I decided to cook this dish using the catfish that I have.

Ikan Keli Masak Lemak Cili Padi
serves 2-3

1 whole catfish, cut and cleaned (you can also use filet)
7-8 thai chili, pounded (more or less depending on how spicy you want them to be)
Fresh turmeric, pounded (alternatively use 1 tbsp turmeric powder)
1 stick of lemongrass, bruised
3/4 can coconut milk (400ml)
1/2 cup water
Salt and sugar to taste

1. Put all the ingredients in a pot on medium low heat. Keep stirring.

2. When it is about to boil, add in the fish. Flip the fish once or twice until it is cooked.

3. Served with warm white rice together with Ulam Pegaga with Sambal Belacan.







17 comments:

Cynthia said...

I haven't had catch fish in a couple of months. Will get some this weekend. Thanks for the inspiration :)

ICook4Fun said...

Farina, I biasa masak lemak chili padi with sayur Kale. You should try it because it tasted like pucuk paku. Really good. I am going to try out with fish the next time :)

Ezza Aziz said...

salam ...
orang jauh pun mask gulai lemak cili api ikan keli...yang di sini pun akak tak jumpa ikan keli...you tau tak kat N9 tu ada ikan keli salai...akak tak pernah cuba tapi banyak orang kata sedap..masak dengan belimbing buluh atau mangga muda...kecur lidah ni...Rajin nya you masak?

Noob Cook said...

Sounds simple to make and looks delicious =)~

lubnakarim06 said...

Get ready to serve iam comming. Looks appetizing.

HomeKreation said...

Haa, here it is... been waiting for it! Looks delicious..! By the way, I'd like to give you an award, a compliment for you & hope you sudi...

Anonymous said...

I'll admit I'm surprised by the catfish coconut milk combo, I wouldn't have thought the flavors would compliment one another, I'll have to try this out!

Sri said...

My mom used to make Lemak but she put it with fried "ikan tongkol". Every time she made it, I would cringe and will try to swallow it fast coz I HATE any lemak dish, when I was a kid.

Now, Sayur Lemak is my fave, dah...

Salt N Turmeric said...

Cynthia, thank you. we all get inspired by each other. :)

Gert, sayur kale? not sure if iv heard/seen/had it before but kalau rasa macam pucuk paku memang i nak carilah. thank you!

Kak Ezza, kalau sendiri tak masak, tak makan lah jawabnya. Kalau kat Msia bolehlah gi gerai. hehe.

Wiffy, it is! You can als replace the fish with chicken or prawn or even egg. :)

Lubna, sure. anytime. :)

Roz, thank you. Nnati il go check it out.

THG, it does. You can also use any other white fish if you cant find catfish. :)

Sri, i first had ikan tongkol for nasi dagang. My family tak pernah buat masak lemak cili padi and i only learned abt it here.

ICook4Fun said...

Farina, you can get sayur kale at all supermarket and it come in a bunch.

Retno Prihadana said...

Hmm...yummy ikan Keli, ur cooking really bring me back home like my mother cooking.

Salt N Turmeric said...

Gert, ok next time i go il get some.

Retno, namanya kan serumpun. ;)

Sarclover said...

I like lemak cili padi, but i dont eat freshwater fish. i guess it is an acquired taste.

my grandfather has relatives from N9 and i love their Lemak cili padi... they would usually cook ayam kampung and also Ikan tilapia (they rear their own chickens and they have a fish pond!) in it.

the ideal sambal belacan to have the dish with is one with loads of belacan... less chilli.. whoaaaa

Anonymous said...

sorry tak makan catfish....boleh tukar ikan tenggeri tak?he he he

eatingclubvancouver_js said...

The colour is such a lovely yellow.

Salt N Turmeric said...

Sue, you can use anything from veggie to egg to meat.

Eatingclub, are you going to try it? :)

Matnor said...

ikan keli yang disalai lepas tu masak cili api pehhh...bestnyaaa...http://www.ternakikankeli.com