Indonesia is blessed with huge coastal area so seafood is really popular as main dish, especially for those who living close to the coastal area. Ikan bumbu acar is a typical seafood dish from fishing villages near Pekalongan, on the northern coast of central Java.
1. Wash the sardines, drain and marinate with salt. Leave for 30 – 60 minutes. Heat the oil and fry the fish until golden brown.
2. Prepare spice paste by grinding or blending all the ingredients.
3. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil and saute the chillies, garlic, shallots, ginger, galangal, lemon grass, tomato, tamarind juice and salaam leaf over high heat for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add sugar, then the spice paste and fry another 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
4. Combine the fried sardines with the spicy sauce in the wok and add water. Cook for another minute, stirring well, then serve and garnished with basil.