NONYA OTAK-OTAK

Nonya Otak-Otak

This Traditional Peranakan Otak-otak

(Fish Cake)

is shared by Molly Leong @Bishan

This otak-otak is cooked over a stove,

with a simple wok or pan at home.

Although the method of cooking has been simplified,

its flavour has not been compromised.

If you doubt, make some to proof it!

Ingredients:

1 kg mackerel / ikan tengerri / ikan Ba-Tang

6 pcs banana leaves

2 eggs

1 thick coconut milk extracted from 1 coconut

Seasoning:

2 Tbsp sugar

2 Tbsp cornflour

2 tsp salt

Chilli Paste:

10 red chillies

10 dried red chillies

10 slices galangal (I used 1/2 tsp galangal powder)

2 stalk lemongrass, sliced thinly

50g belachan (I used 35g belachan powder)

8 candlenut

2 big onions

10 shallots

2" turmeric (I used 2 tsp turmeric powder)

Method:

1. Prepare the banana leaves

    -Run banana leaves over medium-low fire on the stove to soften it.

    -cut into 6"x6" squares. wash & set aside

2. Fillet the fish

    -using a spoon to scrape the fish meat from the skin. 

    -divide the portion into 1/2

3. Prepare the chilli paste

    -Into a food processor, all ingredients for chilli paste and seasoning, chop finely

    -add 1/2 portion of fish, slowly drizzle in the coconut milk. 

      DO NOT POUR in the coconut milk all at once!

      You should get a smooth paste, not watery!

      You may not use up all the coconut milk.

4. Using a spatula mix in the eggs & the remaining fish.

    if the mixture is too dry, can add coconut milk by the Tablespoon at a time.

5. wrap & grill the otak

  -scoop 50-100g otah into each banana leaf

   -secure with a toothpick on both ends

6. heat up a flat frying pan. 

    - grill the otak for about 10-14min, 

    - flip over occasionally until the leaves have browned.

    - the meat is cooked when the otak is firm to the touch

Feedback:
Loke Peng, Jo Lim and Carolyn Chan suggested to use
Daun Kaduk or Kah Lau Yip to
1) line the banana leaf before putting on the otak paste
2) if steaming in a tray, line the tray & cover the paste with daun kaduk
Thank you my friends, I appreciate your feedback.