Spicy Dried Anchovies

Dried anchovies or 'Ikan Bilis' (Malaysia) or 'Ikan Teri' (Indonesian) is often used in both countries cuisine. There are different kinds of dried Anchovies sold in the local market since the country is rich with seafood product. Usually it is cooked with other food ingredients like tempeh, potatoes or eggplant. Sambal is a combination of fried anchovies with potatoes and fried peanut. The taste is a mix of sweet, sour, spicy and salty. This side dish is a good companion to coconut rice.

Recipe

[Cooking time : 15 - 20 minutes]

Ingredients

- 150 g dried anchovies

- 250 g potatoes, cut in long narrow strips

- 50 g fried peanut

- 65 g sugar

- 1 1/2 tablespoon salt

- 25 g tamarind, mix with 100 ml hot water to get a juice

Spice Paste

- 3 shallots

- 2 cloves of garlic

- 2 red chillies, seeded

- 1 teaspoon coriander

- 1 teaspoon galangal powder

Directions

1. Deep fry the potatoes and dried anchovies separately. Set aside

2. Grind or blend the spice paste

3. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil, then sauté the paste.

4. Add the sugar, salt, and tamarind juice and continue cooking until the sauce thickens.

5. Then add the potatoes, dried anchovies, and fried peanut. Mixed them together with the sauce and continue cooking for few minutes.