August 13, 2010

Grilled Red Snapper Wrap In Banana Leaves Serve With Lemongrass Sambal (Ikan Bakar Sambal Sere)



This is how Indonesian marinate their fish, in fact it is so good that they also use it to marinate poultry, meat, as well as tofu and tempe. Normally, the marinating process is quick, in some cases you don't even let it sit at all, just rub it all over the fish, or other ingredients, then grill or fry immediately. I personally like to let it sit in the refrigerator at least for 15 minutes before proceeding to the next step. But the best flavor is when you marinate it for overnight.

Grilled Red Snapper Wrap In Banana Leaves Serve With lemongrass Sambal.
~elra~


For Marinate:

5 cloves garlic
1 tbs coriander seeds
½ tsp turmeric powder (if you have fresh turmeric, you should really use it now. About ½ teaspoon to 1 tsp, grated, should be sufficient)
salt
lime juice from 1 lime
2 tbs vegetable oil
  • Pound everything but the lime juice and oil to make a smooth paste, transfer to a bowl, add lime juice and vegetable oil. Mix well. Rub all over fish, let marinate in the refrigerator for 15 minutes if desire.
For The Grilled Fish:

2 whole red snapper (more or less about 3 pounds)
banana leaves
tooth picks
2 lemongrass stalks, white part only
2 shallots
red or green chili pepper to your liking
2 tomatoes
salt
lime wedges
1 tbs vegetable oil
  • Lay 2 layers of banana leaves on a kitchen counter top, place marinated fish directly on top og banana leaves. Wrap and secure both end with tooth picks. Do the same with the other fish. Grilled on a medium heat until the fish is done, about 5 to 10 minutes on each side. Meanwhile make the lemongrass sambal.
  • Thinly slice the lemongrass and shallots, finely chop the chilies and the tomatoes. Place everything in a bowl, add salt and oil. Mix well. Add the sambal directly on top of the grilled fish, and add the lime wedges. Serve with steam rice and simple green vegetable.


My coriander plant.
To see how their seed turn from beautiful chartreuse to stunning burgundy, then eventually to an earthy color that ready to be harvest?, come and visit my garden.

25 comments:

inanoyster.com said...

you post such beautiful photos!

dinnersanddreams.net said...

I absolutely LOVE the presentation especially the first one against the beautiful red background.

The Blonde Duck said...

What's red snapper taste like? I've never had it.

Taste of Beirut said...

This is a fantastic dish and presentation; ever since I discovered a huge bush of lemongrass in our garden, I have been wanting to use it in our cooking: plus we have loads of banana plants in the coast not too far from us 9down the mountain) so it is perfect! can't wait!

Cheryl said...

That is just simply beautiful, almost too gorgeous to eat!

MaryMoh said...

Wow...beautiful pictures! Love the ingredients...spicy and delicious....mmmm. Thanks for sharing. MaryMoh at http://www.keeplearningkeepsmiling.com

Jeannie said...

Wow! look at all the chillies that you loaded on the fish! Must be deliciously spicy!

Ana Powell said...

Wow, I am in love.
Absolutely breathtaking post, recipe and photos.
Well done ♥

Barbara Bakes said...

This technique must make it so moist and tender and full of flavor.

Chef Dennis said...

what a great way to cook fish! I love the banana leaves! Thanks for sharing this great recipe and cooking method!

Joanne said...

Oh Elra how tasty is THIS! All of the flavors infused from the wrapping...delicious.

FOODalogue said...

Great preparation and presentation, Elra. And, lucky you, having your own coriander plant.

pigpigscorner said...

The fish looks so tasty! Beautiful presentation.

petite nyonya said...

oh wow, the snapper looks so ENAK!! lovely, lovely! wish i could just dig into it. love your garden too! i harvested a 2 ladies' fingers yesterday and planted some more herbs recently. sadly my corn plant died and my pumpkin still hasn't bear any fruit due to the male and female flowers appearing at different times :((.

Sook said...

Wow, you are so good with whole fish! I am having a hard time cooking whole fish... I just don't know how to do it well. Now I can try your recipe. :)

Recipe for Delicious said...

Simply stunning. And what a flavour-packed dish!. I don't generally eat fish, but this sounds too good to pass up!

bewitchingkitchen.com said...

Lemongrass is one of my favorite things! I did not know you could add it to a finished dish like this, without cooking it

thanks for the lesson!

Sophie said...

I so love lemongrass!! It is so versatile!

MMMMMM,..What a stunning & vibrant fish dish!!

Beautiful pictures & so appetizing looking!

Stacey Snacks said...

Elra,
Your photos are so beautiful.
This fish is jumping out at me!
I can't decide whether you are a better baker or a chef!

5 Star Foodie said...

A beautifully prepared fish! Where do you get banana leaves?

The Blonde Duck said...

Have you ever tried tuna steaks before?

elra said...

@NATASYA,
I got it in the frozen section at the Chinese market.

@MIRANDA,
yes I have, I really like it too, but my husband and my son is not so crazy about it, so I rarely make it.

Trixy said...

I love seafood, this looks amazing!

Deborah said...

I absolutely love your presentation... what a beautiful, interesting photo of your red fish:)

The Blonde Duck said...

It didn't get super hot here until last week. Now it's 105.

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