Asem - Asem with Fresh Anchovies
This dish was inspired by a social media post from a friend of mine. They cooked fresh anchovies in a broth-based dish, and it looked wonderful. It is simple, yet I believe it makes for the perfect lunch idea to try at home.
I prepare this fresh anchovy dish with a soup-like broth infused with tamarind, giving it a distinctive tanginess. Sliced onions, chilies, and fresh tomatoes add vibrant color to the meal. In my opinion, it is a delicious, simple, and easy-to-prepare dish for the home kitchen.
Ingredients
500 grams fresh anchovies
1 ½ tomatoes
2 shallots
1 clove garlic
10 green chilies
6 bird's eye chilies
1 teaspoon tamarind paste
Preparation
Marinate the fresh anchovies with about 1 teaspoon of salt. Then, fry them in hot oil until they are half-cooked.
Next, chop the bird's eye chilies and green chilies into small pieces. Finely chop the tomatoes and onions to your preference.
Sauté the shallots and garlic until fragrant and softened, then add the green chilies and bird's eye chilies.
Add the chopped tomatoes, then pour in about 300 ml of water and bring the mixture to a simmer. Don't forget to add the tamarind paste (dissolved in a little water).
Bring the broth to a boil, then add the half-cooked anchovies and simmer until fully cooked. Remember to taste and adjust the seasoning.
Serving
Once cooked, transfer the dish to a serving bowl and enjoy it while hot with warm white rice or another carbohydrate of your choice. The fresh, tangy, spicy, and savory broth creates a perfect flavor combination. Most importantly, the broth is rich in flavor, and the fresh anchovies pair beautifully with this tangy soup base.
This dish is perfect for the rainy season; the refreshing broth and simple combination of ingredients make it absolutely delightful. Just looking at the picture—which hints at that savory flavor—is enough to make anyone want to try it. Even my husband, who initially refused the dish, had to set his reservations aside; he ended up eating it heartily.
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About The Author
Welcome to this blog, I have a real name "Nurul", who comes from Indonesia. I have several hobbies, reading, writing, gardening, I also love food and cooking, even art related. And the most interesting one is spending the whole day traveling. From those hobbies, I will some inspiring content for all of you, I hope you like my blog, please and reblog this post if you like it!.