Gulai Kepala Ikan (Fish Head Curry)

Ingredients:

• 1 (850g) Fish Head, cut into 2-4 pieces
• 2 tbsp Desiccated coconut, roasted, pounded
• 3 tbsp Oil
• 1 stalk Lemon grass, bruised
• 1 Pandan leaf, torn, knotted
• 750 cc Coconut milk from 1 coconut
• 5 Carambolas, halves
• 10 Salam leaves or bay leaves as substitute
• Lime juice and salt

Spices (ground):

• 10 Dried red chilies
• 1/2 tbsp Chopped turmeric
• 1/2 tbsp Chopped ginger
• 7 Shallots
• 3 cloves Garlic
• 1 tbsp Coriander, roasted
• 1/2 tsp Cumin, roasted
• 1/4 Aniseed, roasted
• 1 tsp Peppercorns, roasted
• 1 tbsp Dried Carambola
• Salt

Method :

1. Rub the fish head with lime juice and salt, and let it stand for 1/2 hour.
2. Drain, then rub the fish head with pounded coconut.
3. Heat oil and sauté ground spices, lemon grass and pandanus leaf until fragrant, then add coconut milk.
4. Allow to simmer.
5. Add fish head and carambolas, and bring to the boil.
6. Stir from time to time, then add salam leaves.
7. Simmer until the fish is cooked and the gravy is a little oily.
8. Serve hot.

Note : If there are no dried carambolas available, use 1/2 teaspoon tamarind juice.