Otak otak by Winston and Addy

Otak otak Ingredients 2 onions 1 tsp shrimp paste 2 stalks lemongrass 1 thumb sized galangal 1 tbsp ground chili 1 tsp tumeric powder 180ml thick coconut milk 300g minced fish meat 1 egg 1 tbsp sugar 1 tbsp cornflour 12 pieces of 15cm square banana leaves, or 15cm square or round baking dish Method 1. Grind onions, shrimp paste, lemongrass and galangal into a fine paste. 2. Add ground chili and tumeric powder. Mix well. Use coconut milk to blend ground ingredients into a fine paste. 3. Add fish meat, egg, sugar and cornflour. Mix thoroughly to form a smooth paste. 4. Scald banana leaves with hot water and wipe dry. 5. Place 1 tbsp of fish paste mixture onto middle of banana leaf square on the side that is lighter green. Fold into a rectangle and secure each end with a toothpick. 6. Arrange packets neatly on a baking tray and spray packets with some oil to prevent leaves from cracking in the oven. Alternatively grease a 15cm baking dish and pour fish mixture into it. Level neatly before baking. Cool before cutting into pieces. Note : Fish paste baked wrapped in banana leaves tastes better. The recipe sounds a bit complicated with many exotic ingredients. That's why my mrs hasn't made it yet. Good luck and feel free to ask any questions. Btw the recipe was taken from The Eurasian Cookbook by Mary Gomes

Replies

Scarlett October 12, 2009 at 9:02pm

I have a cheat's way of making otak-otak - mince fish meat in a blender, or chop finely, mix with some thai red curry paste, coconut cream, finely sliced kaffir lime leaves, ground turmeric, ground coriander, salt and a beaten egg. I put a couple of tablespoons of the fish mix onto banana leaves (soften in boiling water) - a piece of tumeric leaf on the banana leaf gives extra flavour - wrap into a bundle and grill on low BBQ. If it gets burnt, then wrap the banana leaf parcel in foil before bbq-ing.
- Addy > Scarlett October 12, 2009 at 10:54pm
  
  You can also steam this otak otak - line the bottom of a dish with betel leaves (daun kadok) and pour fish mixture over the leaves. Steam till firm.
  - Scarlett > Addy October 13, 2009 at 10:03pm
    
    wow betel leaves - can you grow those in Brisbane?
    - Addy > Scarlett October 14, 2009 at 8:02am
      
      yes, I've got some in my herb bed... here are some pics of them
      betel.jpg
      
      betel2.jpg
      - Scarlett > Addy October 14, 2009 at 8:28pm
        
        amazing. would they make betel nuts?
        
        Addy > Scarlett October 14, 2009 at 9:34pm
        
        The "betel nut" is not from the betel leaf creeper, but is a palm nut -"areca nut". Traditionally, a few slices of areca nut are wrapped in a betel leaf (with other stuff) and chewed - as a stimulant.
        
        Addy > Addy October 14, 2009 at 9:45pm
        
        I think my betel leaf plants are the wild variety, not the ones used for chewing. We call it by its Malay name - daun kadok.
    - Addy > Scarlett October 14, 2009 at 7:51am
      
      yes, I've got some in my herb bed...

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