Cherry & Dennis Helper Habitat

Malaysian Ikan Patin Tempoyak

馬來西亞發酵榴槤巴丁魚 Ikan Patin Tempoyak

Malaysian Ikan Patin Tempoyak — finished dish

Total time: 45 min
Difficulty: Medium
Servings: 4 servings

Recipe overview

Patin catfish gently cooks in a tangy fermented-durian gravy with chilli and turmeric leaf; it is a fish main dish, not drinking soup.

01

Ingredients

Main ingredients

800 g patin catfish steaks
180 g food-grade prepared tempoyak fermented durian
1 turmeric leaf
2 red chillies
600 ml water

Seasoning

2 tbsp cooking oil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar

Malaysian Ikan Patin Tempoyak — ingredients

02

Tools

chopping board
knife
kitchen paper
wide lidded pot
wooden spoon
fish spatula

Malaysian Ikan Patin Tempoyak — tools

03

Steps

Malaysian Ikan Patin Tempoyak — Check the prepared tempoyak is food-grade and shows no abnormal mould

Step 1

Check the prepared tempoyak is food-grade and shows no abnormal mould

Check the prepared tempoyak is food-grade and shows no abnormal mould.

Malaysian Ikan Patin Tempoyak — Rinse and pat fish pieces dry

Step 2

Rinse and pat fish pieces dry

Rinse and pat fish pieces dry, checking the bones and portions.

Malaysian Ikan Patin Tempoyak — Tear turmeric leaf into pieces and slice chillies diagonally

Step 3

Tear turmeric leaf into pieces and slice chillies diagonally

Tear turmeric leaf into pieces and slice chillies diagonally.

Malaysian Ikan Patin Tempoyak — Heat oil in a wide heavy pot over medium heat

Step 4

Heat oil in a wide heavy pot over medium heat

Heat oil in a wide heavy pot over medium heat.

Malaysian Ikan Patin Tempoyak — Fry tempoyak for about 2 minutes until fragrant and tangy without scorching

Step 5

Fry tempoyak for about 2 minutes until fragrant and tangy without scorching

Fry tempoyak for about 2 minutes until fragrant and tangy without scorching.

Malaysian Ikan Patin Tempoyak — Pour in water gradually and stir until the paste forms an even gravy

Step 6

Pour in water gradually and stir until the paste forms an even gravy

Pour in water gradually and stir until the paste forms an even gravy.

Malaysian Ikan Patin Tempoyak — Add turmeric leaf and chillies and bring to a gentle simmer

Step 7

Add turmeric leaf and chillies and bring to a gentle simmer

Add turmeric leaf and chillies and bring to a gentle simmer.

Malaysian Ikan Patin Tempoyak — Lay fish steaks in one layer without overlapping or crushing them

Step 8

Lay fish steaks in one layer without overlapping or crushing them

Lay fish steaks in one layer without overlapping or crushing them.

Malaysian Ikan Patin Tempoyak — Cover and simmer gently about 15 minutes

Step 9

Cover and simmer gently about 15 minutes

Cover and simmer gently about 15 minutes, shaking the pot rather than stirring hard.

Malaysian Ikan Patin Tempoyak — Check the thickest fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork

Step 10

Check the thickest fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork

Check the thickest fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork; cook longer if needed.

Malaysian Ikan Patin Tempoyak — Add salt and sugar

Step 11

Add salt and sugar

Add salt and sugar, taste the sour-spicy balance, then simmer about 3 minutes.

Malaysian Ikan Patin Tempoyak — Lift whole fish pieces into a deep dish

Step 12

Lift whole fish pieces into a deep dish

Lift whole fish pieces into a deep dish, spoon over gravy and watch for bones when eating.

Common mistakes

Using unknown fermented paste
Hard boil or vigorous stirring breaks fish
Judging doneness by surface only

Tips

Use ready-made food-grade tempoyak; this timing does not include home fermentation. Simmer fish gently.