Fish Belanda

July 01, 2010

Fish belanda

This is another Nonya dish... known as Fish Belanda... The word Belanda means Netherland or Holland..

Why it is called Fish Holland/ Netherland??... my guess would be ~ back in 1641 when Dutch conquered Malaya (now Malaysia) from the Portuguese (referring to what stated in the history book... I am no expert in history as it was my worst subject in school!!!) :)..
The Dutch settled down in Malacca...  some married to locals... perhaps influenced the cuisine hence the name... hahaha... I am guessing here... :) 

Dutch or Portuguese... we love this dish... tangy, sweet and the golden fried shallots and garlic gave this dish the extra 'ooomph'....

Fish Belanda recipe

  • White fish cutlets - I used Hiramasa
  • 3 cloves of garlic - thinly sliced
  • some golden fried shallots - from Asian grocer
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 tablespoon of tamarind juice
  • 1/2 cup of water
  • sugar and salt
  • optional : cornflour as thickener
Heat the wok with 1/2 cup of oil. Saute the garlic until golden... Dish it out and put it aside. Fry the fish cutlets using the same wok until golden... dish out and drain the oil.

Heat up 2 tablespoon of oil in the same wok (remove all the oil ...if the oil turns darker in colour). Add cinnamon stick and swirl around for 1 minute. Then add the tamarind juice and water. Bring to a simmer and season with salt and sugar. Add half of the sauteed garlic and about 2 tablespoon of shallots. Turn off the heat.

Drizzle the sauce over the golden fried Hiramasa.... and garnish with the remaining golden fired shallots, garlic and some cut-up chillies...Serve with steamed rice.

Comments

  1. the fish looks delicious

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  2. Fish belanda is one of my fav dishes that I havent had for ages! Thanks for sharing this :)

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