Balinese Fish In Banana Leaves (tum Ikan)

Balinese Fish in Banana Leaves, or Tum Ikan, is a traditional dish from the beautiful island of Bali, Indonesia. This dish is bursting with flavor from a blend of aromatic spices and herbs, and it's typically cooked by steaming or grilling the fish in banana leaves, resulting in a tender and fragrant meal.

Balinese Fish In Banana Leaves (tum Ikan)

Ingredients

  • 4 pieces of white fish fillets
  • 8 shallots, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 red chilies, sliced
  • 1 teaspoon shrimp paste
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon palm sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4 kaffir lime leaves, thinly sliced
  • 4 lemongrass stalks, white part only, thinly sliced
  • 4 tablespoons coconut milk
  • 4 banana leaves, cut into 8 large pieces

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, mix together the shallots, garlic, red chilies, shrimp paste, turmeric powder, palm sugar, salt, kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, and coconut milk to create the spice paste.
  2. Place each fish fillet on a piece of banana leaf. Spread the spice paste evenly over the fish.
  3. Wrap the banana leaves around the fish to form parcels, securing them with toothpicks.
  4. Heat a pan over medium heat and place the fish parcels in the pan. Cook for about 15-20 minutes on each side until the fish is cooked through.
  5. Once cooked, carefully open the banana leaf parcels and serve the Balinese Fish in Banana Leaves hot with steamed rice.

Cooking & Preparation

Preparation time:
20 minutes
Cooking time:
30 minutes
Total time:
50 minutes
Cooking method
Stovetop

Nutritional facts per 1 serving

Calories
250 per serving
Protein
30g
Carbohydrates
10g
Fat
10g

Supplies

Toothpicks

Tools

Pan

Serving suggestions

Serving suggestions: Enjoy the Balinese Fish in Banana Leaves with a side of sambal matah (Balinese chili relish) and steamed vegetables.

Tips & tricks

Tips: Make sure to use fresh banana leaves for the best flavor and aroma in this dish.

Cost

$15