SPICY MACKEREL SANDWICH (Pepesan Ikan)

Serves 4

Spice paste (boemboe):

2 small shallots, peeled and halved

3 cloves garlic, peeled and halved

Fresh ginger (12 g), peeled and roughly chopped

3 kaffir lime leaves, vein removed

1/2 stalk lemongrass, base and tough outer leaves removed

2 tsp sambal, or more to taste

A small splash of sunflower oil (neutral oil)

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Other ingredients:

1 whole hot-smoked mackerel, cleaned and bones removed

1 tbsp tomato paste

3 vine cherry tomatoes, stems removed and diced

1 tsp coriander seeds

1 tsp turmeric

15 ml sweet soy sauce (ketjap manis)

4 crusty bread rolls (pistolets)

Sweet-and-sour cucumber pickle

Method:

1. Blend all the ingredients for the spice paste into a smooth paste.

2. Sauté the spice paste in a little oil until fragrant.

3. Add the tomato paste and diced tomatoes and stir well.

4. Season with coriander seeds, turmeric, and sweet soy sauce, mixing everything together.

5. Gently fold in the mackerel so it absorbs all the flavors.

6. Serve on a bread roll and top with sweet-and-sour cucumber