Asam Pedas Fish (Assam Fish – Spicy and Sour Tamarind)
Asam Pedas Fish (also known as Assam Fish) is a spicy and sour staple dish for us in Singapore and Malaysia.
What exactly is Asam Pedas?
In layman’s terms, “Asam” means tamarind and “Pedas” means spicy. So when you put them together, this is a Spicy and Sour Tamarind Fish stew.
When I was younger, I instantly fell in love with Asam Pedas Ikan because of how savoury and sour it tastes. I especially love when my mother adds lady’s fingers because once they soften, the lady’s fingers instantly soak in the gravy that it gives you a juicy delicious add!
If you enjoyed making this asam pedas fish dish, you’d like to pair it with these delicious recipes:
Asam Pedas Fish ingredients:
- Oil
- Asam Jawa (Seedless Tamarind)
- Red Chilli
- Onions and shallots
- Dried Chilli paste
- Turmeric Powder
- Salt
- Daun kesom (Laksa leaves)
- Water
- Fish (Usually we use stingray but you can also use ikan merah also known as red snapper)
- Lady’s fingers (the best vegetable to use in asam pedas recipe!)
How to make Asam Pedas Ikan
I think a lot of people see traditional dishes difficult to cook because they assume that there are either too many ingredients or the steps to make the dish is very tedious. Alas, my mother is an amazing cook and she loves simplifying dishes to cut down on time needed to get the dishes prepared!
First, you blend red chilli and shallots. Once blended, heat up a large wok with oil and add the blended mix into it. I usually minced my onions as it helps to blend easily and also easier to eat especially for the kids. Next, add your homemade dried chilli paste followed by turmeric powder. Mix them well and let it cook for a good 10 minutes.
Next, add daun kesom (or laksa leaves) and salt and mix them well. Once the leaves are soft and cooked, it is time to add those big juicy ikan merah (red snappers). I personally love eating the fish head because of how soft it tastes when cooked! Add water and Asam Jawa (seedless tamarind) in. Lastly, add cut lady’s fingers and let the dish cook for a good 15 minutes or so. Once you’re done, you’ll surprise everyone with an amazing delicious asam pedas fish dish!
Asam Pedas Fish (Assam Fish – Spicy and Sour Tamarind)
Ingredients
- 6 tbsp olive oil
- 3 red chilli
- 3 shallots diced
- 6 onions minced or diced
- 3 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 handful daun kesom laksa leaves
- 4 tsp salt
- 2 cups water
- 1.5 kg ikan merah (red snappers) depends on no. of pax
- 1 packet lady's fingers
- 100 ml asam jawa seedless tamarind
Instructions
- Blend cut red chillies and shallots. Once blended, heat up a large wok with oil and add the blend to the oil. Let it cook for about 2 minutes.
- Add minced onions, homemade dried chilli paste and turmeric powder into the mix and stir well. Let it cook for another 5 minutes.
- Next, add daun kesom and salt then mix them well. Add water to create the gravy and let it cook for another 5 minutes.
- Add the red snappers into the dish. After that, add more water and the asam jawa to ensure that the fishes are almost submerged in the gravy.
- Finally, add the lady's fingers and let it cook for another 10 minutes with the lid on. Voila!
